THE GRADE II listed museum on the Royal Pavilion Estate has been awarded more than £1.4 million as part of a fund to protect the UK’s cultural heritage.

The Brighton Museum and Art Gallery was among more than 60 galleries, museums, libraries and cultural venues to receive money through the government’s Cultural Investment Fund from the Department of Digital, Culture, Media and Sports, which aims to safeguard cultural assets for future generations, power economic growth through culture and improve people’s access to the arts.

The grant of £1,463,769 for the museum, which dates back to 1804 and is one of the first purpose-built museums in the UK, will go towards urgent repairs to a Georgian glass lantern above the central main gallery, which is due to start in the autumn.

Royal Pavilion and Museums Trust chief executive Hedley Swain said: “Brighton Museum is an important historic building, part of the Royal Pavilion Estate.

“It is so important that buildings like this are maintained for the benefit of current and future generations.

“We are so grateful to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport and Arts Council England for this important award. It will allow us to make urgent and timely repairs to the roof of Brighton Museum and Art gallery, allowing us to stay open and plan with confidence for the future.

“Additional funding will be provided by Brighton and Hove City Council, to whom we are also deeply grateful.”

Arts Minister Lord Parkinson said: “Culture is the bedrock of society. It brings people together, entertains and informs us, and helps us to understand our common past and shared future.

“This new funding for treasured cultural institutions will help them to continue their great work, advance our work to level up access to arts and culture so they can be enjoyed by people no matter where they live, and protect these cherished institutions for future generations to enjoy.”

The Cultural Investment Fund will see £48 million distributed to 63 organisations across the country.