Palmeira Square Floral Clock: Vote on Three Replacement Options by 14 October 2026
Brighton and Hove Council consultation: three options to replace the Floral Clock at Palmeira Square. Vote until 14 October 2026
Brighton and Hove City Council has launched a consultation on the future of the Floral Clock at Palmeira Square. The clock, which was created in 1953 to celebrate the Queen's Coronation, has been a landmark in the square for over 70 years. But the mechanism no longer works and the mound is beyond economic repair. Rather than leave it as is, the council is asking residents to choose between three options: an armillary sphere, a commemorative clock feature, or handing the site to a community group. The deadline to vote is 14 October 2026.
"We appreciate that replacing the Floral Clock is a sensitive issue and that's why we are taking our time and working closely with the local community to explore different options," said Councillor Alan Robins, Cabinet Member for Sports, Recreation and Libraries. "I would encourage residents to take part in the consultation and help us create a feature that will become as well-loved as the Floral Clock, complements the wonderful new planting scheme and will be enjoyed by future generations."
A previous consultation in August 2025 drew over 1,100 responses. While 59 per cent backed the new Mediterranean planting scheme installed in March 2026, opinion on the Floral Clock's replacement was split: 40 per cent wanted a new feature (modern artwork or sculpture), and 41 per cent preferred to keep some reference to the original clock. A petition to save the Floral Clock was also presented to council.
The Floral Clock site as it stands now, fenced off while the council consults on its future
Option 1: Armillary Sphere
An armillary sphere is a sculptural globe sundial. It would celebrate the site's timekeeping heritage. The design marks the anniversary date of the Queen's Coronation. This option uses part of the remaining capital budget for construction, landscaping, paving and seating. The rest is invested in wider improvements: footway resurfacing, perimeter fencing, and more planting enhancement.
Option 1: Armillary Sphere. A sculptural globe sundial celebrating the site's timekeeping heritage and the Queen's Coronation anniversary
Option 2: Commemorative Clock Feature
A new sculptural feature, pyramid-shaped with a fixed clock face showing 19:53 (marking the Coronation year). The council would run a public competition to design the artwork on the sides of the feature. Like Option 1, the remaining budget funds footway resurfacing, landscaping improvements, fencing refurbishment, and new seating.
Option 2: Commemorative Clock Feature. A pyramid-shaped sculpture with a fixed clock face showing 19:53 to mark the Queen's Coronation year
Option 3: Community-Led Future
Transfer the site to a community group or organisation through a Community Asset Transfer scheme. Qualifying community groups could apply to take it on as a permanent stewardship project. The full remaining council budget would be invested in wider garden improvements: footway resurfacing, landscaping enhancements, fencing refurbishment, and new seating.
Option 3: Community-Led Future. The Floral Clock site could be handed to a community group through a Community Asset Transfer scheme. Examples of community-stewardship public art projects in Brighton
The new Mediterranean planting scheme was installed in March 2026 and is now thriving. The design is drought-tolerant and pollinator-friendly, similar to plantings at Hove Lagoon, and echoes the garden's original pre-1953 layout. Volunteers from the Friends of Palmeira Square and Adelaide Residents Association helped with the planting and maintain it. Some chain railings were removed and a new pathway was added to align with the existing crossing.
The council said in April: "What a transformation! It's been wonderful to see the new planting scheme evolve over the past few weeks, creating a lovely and tranquil space for residents and visitors to enjoy. I'd like to thank members of the Friends of Palmeira Square for their continued support, from contributing to the design to getting stuck in with the planting and creating a garden to be proud of."
The new Mediterranean planting scheme installed in March 2026, now established and thriving at Palmeira Square
How to Vote
The consultation is live on the council's Your Voice platform. Rank the three options 1, 2, 3 using a drag-and-drop survey. The deadline is 14 October 2026. Take the survey here. Browse the full project overview. Read the council's background on the re-landscaping project.
Phase 2 (19 October to 15 November) will analyse results and prepare a recommendation for the decision-maker.
Option 2: A commemorative clock feature inspired by the original Floral Clock, with a fixed clock face marking the year of the Queen's Coronation
Have Your Say
The consultation is live on the council's Your Voice platform. Rank the three options 1, 2, 3 using a drag-and-drop survey. The deadline is 14 October 2026.
Phase 2 runs from 19 October to 15 November, when results will be analysed and a recommendation prepared for the decision-maker.
Whichever option wins, the planting stays. The square is already transformed. The Floral Clock's successor will sit in a garden that's thriving.
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