Wet weather dampens bid to spruce up Royal Pavilion’s gardens

The seeds are being sown to ensure Brighton’s Royal Pavilion is looking at its best for the summer – despite the wettest winter on record.

Following the success of hosting the ice rink, workers have started relaying the turf on the Old Steine side of the Regency palace.

But thanks to the recent spell of wet weather, contractors said they have been delayed in their work.

However Brighton and Hove City Council said it was confident the lawn would be laid in the coming weeks ahead of the busy summer months.

A council spokesman said: “The turf replacement in Royal Pavilion gardens has been delayed by the extremely wet weather.

“It is necessary to allow the ground to dry out sufficiently so that the required equipment can be used on the site and the new turf laid.

“The work will be carried out by contractors working on behalf of the ice rink organisers.”

Tens of thousands of people visited the Royal Pavilion ice rink this winter.

The attraction closed on January 19 but organisers have already said they plan to bring it back for another year in November.

A statement issued on its website said: “The Royal Pavilion Ice Rink is now closed until November 2014.

“We hope you’ve had as much fun skating in Brighton over Christmas 2013 as we’ve had and look forward to seeing you again next season.”