From hidden gem to cultural gateway

Brighton Toy and Model Museum’s bold regeneration

Brighton is famous for its vibrant culture, independent shops and welcoming spirit. Yet for many years, one of its most remarkable treasures has often been overlooked. Brighton Toy and Model Museum is home to one of the finest collections of toys and model trains in the UK – perhaps even in Europe – but until now its modest entrance and dim surroundings have hidden its brilliance from view. That is about to change.

This autumn, the museum embarks on a major regeneration project that promises not only to transform the museum itself, but also to brighten one of the city’s most neglected gateways. For those who turn left when arriving in Brighton by train, the first step into the city is through the Trafalgar Street underpass: a functional but gloomy tunnel, with little to inspire or welcome. The museum’s team has secured funding and support to change that story, and in doing so, they hope to reintroduce the museum to both locals and visitors.

The centrepiece of the project is a brand-new façade. Where once a small doorway sat discreetly in the brickwork, the entire 20-foot arch will now become a fully glazed entrance, allowing people to peer inside and instantly sense the magic that awaits. For the first time in more than three decades, the museum will be able to showcase its world-class displays to passers-by, tempting curious minds to step inside.

Lighting will play a crucial role in the transformation. Brass Victorian lanterns, designed in the style of the Southern Railway, will flank the entrance, while specialist lighting firm iGuzzini will illuminate the arches and walls along the length of the underpass. The result will be a brighter, safer and more inviting passageway that signals to visitors: you have arrived in Brighton.

Art will also have its place in the project. The much-loved murals of the Brighton Belle, which already grace two of the arches, will be lovingly restored and refreshed.

Together, these changes represent a £200,000 investment in the future of the museum and the surrounding community.

For General Manager Jan Etches, the project is as much about the city as it is about the museum. “We’ve always been proud to be Brighton’s hidden gem,” she explains, “but now it’s time to step into the light. These improvements are not just for our visitors, but for everyone who passes through this gateway to the North Laine. It’s about making the area safer, cleaner and more welcoming.”

The museum’s story is a remarkable one. Founded in 1991 by craftsman and collector Chris Littledale, it grew from his personal passion for model trains and tinplate toys. Littledale, now 83, remains the heart of the museum, still working six days a week in the on-site workshop. His skill as a tinsmith has won him an international reputation, restoring pieces for collectors around the world – including Frank Sinatra! His extraordinary dedication has made the museum what it is today: a labour of love, sustained by craftsmanship, perseverance and community support.

The collection itself is astonishing. Covering 4,000 sq feet, with 12,000 items on display and housed across four Victorian arches, visitors encounter working model railway layouts, dolls, construction kits and toys spanning the golden age of toymaking from the late nineteenth century through to the 1960s. Many pieces are unique or the finest of their kind, and while other toy museums have come and gone, Brighton Toy and Model Museum has quietly established itself as one of a kind.

There is even a discussion that, one day, it could be recognised as the National Toy Museum – a title it would amply deserve.

Community support has been central to the regeneration project. Contributions have come from the Railway Heritage Trust, the Worshipful Company of Tinplate Workers, GTR’s Community Improvement Fund, the Community Rail Network, and local groups such as the North Laine Residents Association and the North Laine Traders Association.

Individual supporters have also played their part, from fundraising events to donations in memory of loved ones.

David Sewell, Chairman of the North Laine Traders, describes it as “a success story in leading the regeneration under the Railway Station. The Toy Museum has been a gem for years, but this project elevates it to a new level.”

As the work progresses, anticipation is building. The museum plans a launch event to celebrate the reopening, inviting the community to rediscover a place that has always been much more than a collection of toys. It is a living connection between past and present, between childhood wonder and adult nostalgia, and between Brighton’s industrial heritage and its cultural future.

Brighton Toy and Model Museum is not only securing its own future but also making a statement about the city it belongs to. A brighter gateway, a safer tunnel, a more visible treasure – together, these improvements signal that Brighton is a place where heritage and community matter.

www.brightontoymuseum.co.uk

Did you know that the museum can host private events and corporate meetings. It is a meeting space like no other. To find out more, email Jan Etches at jan@brightontoymuseum.co.uk or call 01273 749 494

The works are expected to be completed by 17th October.  The museum will still be open and visitors can take advantage of a 25% entry discount while the works are taking place.