Urgent repairs are about to begin to save a dome at risk of collapse on one of the city's major landmarks. A dome on the Royal Pavilion in Brighton , which suffered water damage and has rot inside , was identified as needing urgent repairs by contractors earlier this month. An urgent appeal for donations was launched to fund this work and over £27,500 was raised in just three days.
READ MORE: U niversity building to reopen after problem concrete was found This was over double the amount needed to restore the dome. Brighton and Hove Museums, a charity responsible for maintaining the historic landmark, has now increased the fundraising target so the charity can fund another critical piece of restoration work that is needed on the ceiling of the historic Banqueting Room at the Royal Pavilion. The charity said specialist repairs are needed to restore the copper Banqueting Room canopy and its windows which are failing, causing water damage to the ceiling beneath and putting the three-tonne dragon chandelier at risk.
Records dating back to the early 18th century show that even at the time it was built, the complex roof design was problematic to maintain. Once the external repairs have been undertaken, the Banqueting Room will need to be scaffolded so the water damage surrounding the dragon chandelier can be repaired. The total costs of works are expected to be around £28,000, which alongside the dome repairs takes the overall total to £38,000.
Hedley Swain, CEO of Brighton and H.