Brighton And Hove Royal Pavilion Prepares To Reopen Next Week

Tuesday, 21 July 2020 08:09

By Iona Stewart-Richardson @IslandIona

Visitors will be welcomed back to Brighton and Hove’s world-famous Royal Pavilion from next Monday (27 July).

Brighton & Hove’s Mayor, councillor Alan Robins and lead councillor for culture Carmen Appich will be welcomed as the first guests to visit since the building closed in March.

The reopening of this iconic building, the symbol and heart of Brighton & Hove, is another step towards the city returning to a new normal.

Once again visitors will be able to marvel at the exotic and quirky former Royal Palace with its Indian-inspired exterior and lavish Chinese-inspired interior.

The summer is considered a fantastic time for visitors to see the Royal Pavilion with these highlights on display:

For the first time, visitors will be able to see the newly refurbished Queen Victoria’s apartments which have been hung with the original elegant 19th-century Chinese export wallpaper.
A Prince’s Treasure of over 120 decorative items such as pagodas on loan from Her Majesty The Queen on display in the Royal Pavilion returned while Buckingham Palace undergoes renovation.

Staff have been working with Public Health England, Brighton & Hove City Council, the Royal Pavilion & Museums Trust and unions to follow government guidelines and ensure the buildings and work environments are safe for both visitors and staff.

An online video shows the changes visitors can expect. They include:

Pre-booked timed entry to limit numbers
Hand sanitiser stations at entry points
Perspex screens and barriers
Physical distancing signage
A new one-way visitor route
Removal of audio guides
A reconfigured retail space

Visitors can book their timed slot online by visiting: https://www.maximweb.net/brightonmuseums/events/

Each slot can accommodate a party of up to six people and to avoid disappointment we recommend visitors book at least 24 hours in advance.

Councillor Carmen Appich, chair of the council’s Tourism, Equalities, Communities and Culture Committee said:

“It’s fantastic news that, thanks to the hard work and commitment of staff, we are now able to re-open our wonderful Royal Pavilion. Visitors can now look forward to touring the building safely, as well as enjoying a warm welcome from all the staff.”