As plans to host IHBC’s 2020 School in Brighton are being developed by our local Branch volunteers, the Brighton and Hove Independent reports in detail on a management plan ‘to revive the Hippodrome and encourage better use of the Middle Street Synagogue’, and help address the Old Town Conservation Area’s ‘at risk’ status.
The Brighton and Hove Independent writes:
(Brighton and Hove City Council) backed a management plan as heritage chiefs explore ways to revive the Hippodrome and encourage better use of the Middle Street Synagogue. The Old Town Conservation Area Management Plan said: ‘The Old Town conservation area was included on the Historic England ‘at risk’ register in 2016 as a result of a steady decline in its appearance, character and vitality. This management plan will form an important step in addressing that ‘at risk’ status.’
The management plan has been drawn up by Brighton and Hove City Council and its publication was approved by the council’s Tourism, Development and Culture Committee…
Opening up the heritage of grade II* listed synagogue was the focus of discussions surrounding the management plan. Labour councillor Kevin Allen said that while the focus was on the Hippodrome, the synagogue was of equal importance… ‘I could imagine school parties going – and the University of the Third Age.’
… The synagogue opened its doors to the public on Heritage Day this year and is available for prebooked tours. It was built in 1875 and served the thriving Jewish community which started arriving in the area when it came into fashion in the 18th century…
Labour councillor Alan Robins, who chairs the Tourism, Development and Culture Committee, said that he learnt about the darker side of Brighton’s history while looking at the synagogue’s oak doors…
Senior heritage planning officer Tim Jefferies said that he had met with members of the Jewish community and representatives of Historic England to discuss the issues affecting the synagogue. The Old Town Management Plan was welcomed by councillors, with a particular desire for the Hippodrome to be returned to use as a theatre…
Conservative councillor Mary Mears said that officials should work with the Hippodrome’s owners to bring the building into a better state of repair to make sure that it did not deteriorate further…
