Brighton Toy and Model Museum is undertaking a significant regeneration project which will not only improve the museum’s visibility to passers-by, but also the appearance of the underpass for North Laine residents, businesses and visitors, commuters coming and going to the railway station, and Brighton as a whole.
The scheme – which will cost in the region of £120,000 – will see three of the currently bricked-up arches opened-up and fully glazed with light from within illuminating the underpass, along with new lighting across the museum façade. The Railway Heritage Trust has pledged 40% of the structural costs, and with money the museum has raised, they are already over the halfway mark with £60k needed to achieve their target.
“Although we have a fantastic central location in the city, the top end of Trafalgar Street isn’t the most welcoming of places for tourists to visit and we want to change that”, said Jan Etches, General Manager of the museum.
“The regeneration project will not only make the museum and our wonderful collection more visible to passersby but also improve the underpass for the benefit of all businesses and residents in our area of North Laine”.
The Brighton Toy and Model Museum holds an internationally important collection from the golden age of British and European toy-making including a one-of-its-kind 1930s gauge 0 model railway layout created by the museum’s founder and director, Chris Littledale.
“It’s such a pleasure to witness the joy on the faces of both our younger guests – and their young-at-heart parents and grandparents – as they explore familiar and not-so-familiar toys from bygone days”, said Jan.
“Familiar brand names include Dinky, Meccano, Lego, Hornby and Britain’s sit alongside Steiff teddy bears, Victorian dolls and Pelham Puppets. We are privileged to be able to have such an extensive number of exhibits”.
There are a number of ways that individuals and businesses can support the museum and its regeneration project, starting at a pocket-money friendly £5 for a limited edition enamel museum badge.
A handcrafted bespoke plaque that will be displayed in perpetuity inside the museum is available from £200 and the perfect way to celebrate or recognise a life moment. There’s also an opportunity to sponsor one of the top ten treasures in the museum – many of which are the only toys and models of the kind that are still in existence. Corporate sponsors are invited to sponsor one of the three new glazed arches, with prominent branding included.
To find out more about the Brighton Toy and Model Museum’s Trafalgar Street Regeneration Project and ways to support, visit www.brightontoymuseum.co.uk/trafalgar-street-regeneration-project/
