From horse palace to people’s playground

Refurbished Corn Exchange and Studio Theatre opens its doors in Brighton

A portrait of the author as a shrinking violet

The Regency era - frivolous, hedonistic, a sparkling bubble in a darkling world - has forever left its mark on Brighton.

The Concert Hall and Corn Exchange, on the Royal Pavilion estate, were commissioned as a five-star home for the Prince Regent’s horses in 1803. The North American colonies were growing restive but in the heart of Empire it was time to party at the seaside.

Fast forward fifty odd years and Queen Victoria took a dim view of Georgian excess. She sold the Royal Pavilion estate to the Brighton Corporation.

The concert hall Hall opened as a theatre in 1867 with the corn exchange following as an exhibition space a year later.

Years of use inevitably took its toll.

Now the historic Grade I and Grade II listed building following a six-year capital refurbishment. The project includes substantial restoration and upgrades to both venues including conserving heritage features for and improving the experience for artists and audiences.

The £38 million refurbishment is the first phase of a regeneration project by Brighton & Hove City Council, in partnership with Brighton Dome & Brighton Festival and Brighton & Hove Museums.

Thy hand great Anarch! Let the curtain fall!

Which is a fancy way of inviting you to jump the paywall to watch a video of the refurbishment featuring spoken word from Aflo the poet. Bonus feature - a picture of a golden horse.