TODAY The Argus is issuing a call to arms to everyone in and around Brighton and Hove to support the bid to save the seafront’s beautiful terrace.

News within the last week that the plans for an open-air swimming pool on the former Peter Pan site in Madeira Drive have been scaled down is a big blow to plans to regenerate that side of the seafront.

It had been hoped the Sea Lanes pool would be the start of a huge redevelopment scheme to liven up the historic stretch of our seafront.

However, due to the uncertainty hanging over the future of the terrace, the organisers have scaled back the plans which would have given us a 50 metre swimming pool on the seafront.

The Sea Lanes consortium also laid out plans to build a string of shops and leisure facilities in Madeira Drive.

However, as The Argus revealed last Thursday, the company’s bosses have got cold feet over putting together the original plan.

Because of the poor condition of the terrace, the plan has now changed drastically.

Rather than the Olympic-sized 50m pool with a 150-year lease, the group is only asking for a five-year lease with a temporary 25m pool to be put in place.

In a Brighton and Hove City Council report it states that “because creating a destination” is key to the success of the Sea Lanes, “the uncertainty around the timescales for the redevelopment of Madeira Terrace” has caused them to consider their options.

Lloyd Russell-Moyle, MP for Brighton Kemptown, has donated to the scheme and is an avid campaigner for the group.

He told The Argus: “It is part of the heritage of the city.

“It is important to try and make sure there is economic support across the whole area and the terraces are vital for that.

“It is also important to have an element of civic pride about us. Our forebears made sure they invested in the terraces, so we must not let them go.”

The structure which once stood boldly on the seafront has been reduced to rust and is in desperate need of repair. A fence is also wrapped around it to prevent people going under it.

Now it is time for the terrace to be restored, Brightonians believe.

The Save Madeira Terrace campaign has received more than 1,000 pledges totalling to £190,000, but it faces a race against time to hit its goal of £429,671.

That is why we are calling on the people this affects to get involved and back the fundraiser.

The Grade II listed structure will cost about £24 million to repair in total – this crowdfunder is just the start of the plan.

If successful, it will give the scheme a better chance of receiving funding from the Government after it turned down a £4 million Lottery Fund to save the terraces last year.

The eventual aim is to get investment from businesses, which the council believes will be possible if the initial target is reached.

Those already to back the campaign include comedian and Labour activist Eddie Izzard, who showed his support last month when he was in Brighton.

BEHIND THE CAMPAIGN

Luke Johnson, owner of Brighton Palace Pier, has pledged £5,000 to the campaign.

He said: “Madeira Terrace is an iconic feature of the Brighton seafront and deserves to be restored to its full Victorian glory.

“I’m delighted to support the campaign to renew the beautiful cast iron arches, and enable the space to be purposeful once more.”

Howard Barden, of VisitBrighton, which is leading the campaign, said: “We’re delighted with the public response and thank everyone who has given their time or money to help keep pledges coming in.

“Madeira Terrace is an integral part of our seafront history and we are doing our upmost to ensure it remains a key part of the landscape.”

Andrew Mosley, general manager of The Grand, said: “From one iconic landmark to another, The Grand is proud to support the campaign to restore this important part of Brighton’s history.

“Madeira Terrace is a vital part of Brighton’s identity and we’re excited to join forces with the council, businesses and individuals who have pledged.”

Paul Templeton, director of Baobab, a property development firm which has pledged £1,000 to the campaign, said: “Brighton has many architectural heritage assets and the terrace is one.

“The city is dying for office space, too, and the terrace would be great for that. I live in Kemp Town so on a personal level, investment in the area is welcome.”

IT’S PART OF OUR HISTORY (Views from the seafront)

BARRIE MOORE: “I remember coming down here for the speed trials when I was young and you could watch from the terrace. It used to be very attractive. We’ve got to get that back. It’s part of the city’s history.”

ROB GEAR: “I used to walk to work along the terrace, so it’s sad to see it like this. It’s slowly deteriorating.

“I want to keep a crucial part of Brighton alive, not let it go to waste.”

THELMA COLBURN: “I would donate. It’s going to end up like the West Pier otherwise.

“The terrace could replicate what has been done with the pier or the i360, which has been great for that area.”

JO DAVIS: “The terrace is part of Brighton’s heritage and I am going to be donating to it.

“The whole regeneration of Brighton is important. It will give the city a boost.”

THE ARGUS COMMENT

OUR beautiful seafront is the jewel in our crown.

Come to Brighton and Hove and you visit the beach, take a walk along the King’s Road and the promenade.

Whether you were born and bred here or moved to live in Sussex, who doesn’t love the seafront?

The Madeira Terrace is a crucial part of that. From the Brighton Palace Pier to Black Rock, what was once a beautiful part of the city is now, shamefully, in a mess.

If the terrace was in the right state we would be very proud of it.

Instead there it stands, forlorn, behind ugly fences put there for our own safety.

Generations before us have neglected the terrace and we cannot lay the blame at the current city council administration.

Far from it.

It is fair to say that the current leadership has been faced with the challenge of saving the area at one of the most difficult times, financially, in living memory.

Yes, Brighton and Hove City Council should be able to afford to fix the terrace. But the money has gone and times have changed.

Challenges are aplenty, not least preventing the seafront road from caving in again. So today we give the council our full backing in its bid to save the terrace.

From our new offices in Manchester Street, Argus staff are just a minute away. When we have a spare moment to take in the air we look towards the sea – and see the terrible state the seafront arches are in.

So today we say do what you can, spread the word, spare cash if you can.

We would call on the council to have collection boxes in near the pier. The footfall on the seafront is so great that if everyone who passed the terraces gave a pound the crowdfunding page would receive a huge boost.

A big well done to all who have pledged money so far.

Our seafront arches are beautiful, unique. Let’s help restore them so they can once again stand out for the right reasons.