Brighton and Hove museums post 14% increase in visitors

Looks like we're enjoying our museums and the Brighton Pavilion more than ever. The latest figures from the City Council show customer figures are on the up and up.

For the period from last April to January 2012, the council's five main historic attractions pulled in 592,860 customers, compared to 517,693 the year before.

The Royal Pavilion increased from 272,586 to 303,783 – up 11.4%

Brighton Museum increased from 182,559 to 213,996 – up 17%

Hove Museum increased from 32,017 to 41,574 – up 29%

Booth Museum of Natural History from 18,459 to 21,612 – up 10.5%

Councillors put the rises down to sophisticated marketing, special exhibitions and targeting specific audiences.  Many national TV programmes and other media featured the Royal Pavilion, while winter ice skating there helped increase interest.

In recent years the Royal Pavilion has staged special displays covering the building's use as an Indian military hospital, plus an exhibition on Regency costume featuring George IV's coronation gown. 

A new show starting next month highlights the life of George's daughter Princess Charlotte, who died in childbirth at 21, changing the course of royal history.