THE FIRST small steps in funding the renovation and replacement of Brighton’s deteriorating Victorian seafront have been made.

Brighton and Hove City Council has been successful in its bid for £50,000 of Government money to help launch its project to rebuild Madeira Terraces.

The grant from the Department for Communities and Local Government’s Coastal Revival Fund will be used to help draw up a masterplan for the future use of the site.

The seafront site was among seven in Sussex to receive a share of more than £330,000 in funding in an announcement made yesterday.

Brighton Hippodrome CIC members are also hoping that the five-figure grant could eventually lead towards delivering a multi-million pound project to restore the grade II* listed theatre.

Talks have been held this week between campaigners a business consortium over a potential alliance to develop an acceptable enabling project for the Hippodrome purchase and restoration which could cost between £8 and £30 million.

Other successful bids include funding for Shoreham Fort, the Redoubt fortress in Eastbourne, Bottle Alley promenade in Hastings as well as double delight for Bognor which received £90,000 for projects on its heritage quarter and pier as well as a digital start-up hub in Bognor railway station

Brighton Kemptown MP Simon Kirby welcomed funding for the Madeira Terraces.

He said: “I’m delighted that the Government has committed this money for the much-needed regeneration of the Madeira Terraces.

“This area has the potential to be a fantastic tourist offering, as well as being a great place for local residents to use and businesses to invest in.

“I look forward to the council finally revealing their plans now that they have been given this initial funding.”

Brighton and Hove City Council leader Warren Morgan said: “We are delighted to have won this money against fierce competition.

“It will be put to good use, developing a viable, long-term plan to revive Madeira Terraces and Madeira Drive which are in desperate need of regeneration.

“We have made progress on putting a project together to develop Madeira Terraces but there is no quick fix.

“The Coastal Revival funding will ensure there a plan is in place for investment and that the city will benefit from a workable and lasting scheme.”