Hello, Brighton & Hove!

With the wild festival month finally behind us, June kicks off with a completely refreshed vibe across the city. If you’re dodging the packed seafront promenade this week, the backstreets are loaded with unique pockets of life. You could be catching alternative comedy maestro James Acaster live at the Dome, hunting down rebellious hidden murals on a guided photo walk through the Lanes, or watching the sunset with a cocktail from the Rockwater roof terrace. Grab a brew and let’s dive straight in.

Here is what’s squawking this week:

🚲 Shared e-cargo bikes launch across the city for just £1.25 a ride.
🎹 Hollywood star Jeff Goldblum hits Resident Music for an exclusive album signing.
🏫 Brunswick Primary slashes its class sizes to survive a £180,000 deficit.
🏛️ Museum staff confirm another round of strikes at the Royal Pavilion.
🏍️ An e-bike rider gets hit with a heavy fine for exceeding the legal limit.

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🏛️ Royal Pavilion strike: More museum closures locked in for June

Heads up if you were planning a museum trip next week—GMB union staff at the Royal Pavilion and our city museums are walking out again from 3 to 5 June. Negotiations over new contracts completely fell apart because the trust wants to cut ties with local council pay scales, leaving the city's lowest-paid heritage workers to shoulder the deficit.
→ read more on Brighton and Hove News

🏍️ Modified e-bike rider hit with heavy fines in city centre

Riding a souped-up electric bike through town without checking the legal limits just cost one local resident nearly £300 and six points on his record. He was caught on Church Street on an Allegro model that exceeded the standard 15.5mph limit, meaning it legally counts as a motorbike requiring a full licence and insurance.
→ read more on Brighton and Hove News

🚲 Ditch the car: Shared e-cargo bikes launch across Brighton and Hove

A brilliant new trial is bringing shared e-cargo bikes to our streets, making it way easier to haul groceries, gear, or even two kids without owning a car. You can grab one from hotspots like Preston Park or Kemptown for just £1.25 a pop, and local businesses are even being offered three hours of free riding to get started.
→ read more on The Argus

🏫 Deficit crisis forces biggest Hove school to slash class sizes

Brunswick Primary, once the largest school in the city, is drastically cutting its new reception intake to just two classes for the next couple of years to survive a massive £180,000 budget deficit. With local birth rates dropping by 20%, council bosses agreed to the cap so the struggling school isn't forced to hire extra staff for empty classrooms.
→ read more on Brighton and Hove News

🗳️ MP backs votes at 16 after hosting local students in Brighton

Brighton Kemptown MP Chris Ward has strongly defended the Labour government's plan to lower the voting age to 16, following a week of discussions with local work experience students. In an opinion piece, Ward agreed feedback that while expanding the franchise will strengthen democracy, secondary schools must introduce mandatory political education to help young voters f’ young voters feel confident at the ballot box.
→ read more on The Argus

🗳️ Six-way battle: The final candidate list for Goldsmid is locked in

The race is officially on for the Goldsmid ward by-election on 25 June, with six candidates confirmed to be fighting for your vote. Representatives from Labour, the Greens, Conservatives, Lib Dems, Reform, and TUSC have all stepped up to the plate following the sudden resignation of long-standing councillor Jackie O'Quinn.
→ read more on Brighton and Hove News

🏉 Shaking up the game: Nearly 100 schoolgirls flood Hove rugby festival

Hove Recreation Ground was buzzing this week as primary school girls from eight local schools got a taste of inclusive, non-contact rugby. It is all part of a big city-wide push called Sport Lifts Her Higher, aiming to bridge the stubborn gap between boys' and girls' sports and make Brighton the UK capital for female athletics.
→ read more on The Argus

🚌 Legendary D-Day veteran honoured on the front of a local bus

Brighton & Hove Buses has paid a beautiful tribute to Ken Hobbs, a local hero who landed a military lorry on Sword Beach in 1944, by naming a Coaster bus after him. Even better, after serving his country in the war, Ken actually spent eight years driving that exact same route as a civilian bus driver.
→ read more on BBC News

Also in the news:

🎭 Summer Comedy Festival: Funny That Comedy is taking over the Brighton Open Air Theatre this week with an absolute blockbuster lineup of comics including John Bishop, Marcus Brigstocke, and Ed Byrne. → read more on Brighton Open Air Theatre

🌿 Driftwood garden opens: Geoff Stonebanks' famous Driftwood garden has opened for its nine-week summer season after landing a spot in Tripadvisor's top 10% of global attractions. → read more on The Argus

🚴 Paris bike ride triumph: Lancing cyclist Phil Read has smashed a gruelling 250-kilometre marathon to France, just years after undergoing life-saving heart surgery at the Royal Sussex. → read more on BBC News

🚗 Seaside parking rip-off: Brighton has officially been named the absolute priciest beach destination in the UK for drivers, with an average eight-hour parking bill of £24.21 nearly doubling runner-up Newquay. → read more on The Argus

⚽ World Cup fan zone row: Plans to bring a massive 5,000-capacity entertainment hub to Black Rock this summer are triggering safety and noise complaints from local groups worried about rowdy late-night match screenings. → read more on The Argus

🍝 Hove restaurant fan drama: Italian spot Cin Cin has landed in front of a council licensing panel after a next-door neighbour complained about a relentless mechanical humming sound driving everyone mad. → read more on The Argus

🏏 Cricket ground bar backlash: Sussex County Cricket Club is facing fierce objections from Palmeira Avenue residents who claim a proposed new matchday bar container will ruin their summer with noise and strong cooking smells. → read more on The Argus

🫶🏻 Flourish Mentors

📆 Ongoing workshops & events
📍 Across Brighton Community Spaces

I continuously support female-owned and female-led businesses, and I’d like to share a brilliant initiative that goes right to the roots of lifting up the next generation of women. This amazing charity supports young women aged 16–25 across Sussex as they navigate the journey into adulthood, and I love what they are doing. Their entire approach is built around three core pillars:

Believe, Belong, and Become.

Instead of imposing rigid structures, they co-create their mentoring, workshops, and coaching programs directly alongside the young women themselves. The focus is on building self-awareness, creating safe spaces where individuals feel visible, and providing practical tools to help manage stress and build confidence. It is exactly the kind of empowering work that makes a real difference.

🔗 More info on workshops and coaching

 🌊 Rockwater, Hove

Rockwater is a proper staple of the Hove seafront, sitting right on the Western Esplanade. It is a brilliant beachside hub that covers everything from morning yoga and sea swims to comedy nights and live music. The venue is split into a casual Pub, takeaway Shacks, a main Bar and Kitchen, and their famous Roof Terrace, which gives you a front row seat to the waves.

If you are planning a date night, the Roof Terrace is the absolute best spot to watch the sunset over the coast. It generally opens from Friday to Sunday, serving a dedicated terrace menu alongside seasonal drinks when the weather plays ball. Downstairs in the main Bar and Kitchen, they serve breakfast daily before moving into the main menu, alongside a dedicated pizza list.

It is a highly energetic, buzzy venue, so it is definitely worth booking a table in advance if you want to secure a prime view. Keep an eye on their Instagram page to see what specific events are coming up, as their lifestyle schedule changes regularly. Since it sits right on the promenade, there is no on-site parking, but you can easily find paid street parking up on Kingsway.

📍 Western Esplanade, Kingsway, Hove
🕒 Bar & Kitchen: 8am-11pm (Sun-Thu), 8am-Late (Fri-Sat)
⛱️ Roof Terrace: 12pm-Late (Fri), 9am-Late (Sat), 9am-Sunset (Sun)
🔗 Book a table

🏠 The Regency Showstopper

You have to see this gorgeous six bedroom end of terrace house on Park Crescent.
It is a stunning Grade II* listed home that spans over three thousand square feet of pure elegance, and I am genuinely daydreaming about winning the lottery just to move straight in. It boasts magnificent high ceilings, light filled reception rooms, and a beautiful south facing wrap around garden that even has its own covered sunken hot tub. The absolute best part is that it gives you direct access to three and a half acres of secure, private communal gardens right in the middle of Brighton. Honestly, it is the dream setup for anyone who wants high-end history mixed with total city centre luxury.

📍 Park Crescent, Brighton
💰 £1,750,000
🔗 View on Rightmove

Tue

📸 Brighton Lanes Street Art Photo Walk | 11am, Tue @ Jubilee Library
Explore Brighton's backstreets, hidden murals, and rebellious street art culture on an immersive, guided photography walk. More Info

🌱 Brighton Vegan Food Tour | 1:30pm, Tue @ Church of Saint Bartholomew
Taste your way through Brighton's vibrant independent plant-based food scene while uncovering the city's hidden streets and creative history. More Info

🎤 Adi Parmar: Sunny Boy (Work-in-Progress) | 7:30pm, Tue @ Caroline of Brunswick
Comedian Adi Parmar delivers a sharp solo comedy hour reflecting on his upbringing in North India and unexpected fatherhood in the Netherlands. More Info

🎤 Funny That Summer Comedy Festival: Jeff Innocent, Marcus Brigstocke | 7:30pm, Tue @ Brighton Open Air Theatre
Circuit titan Jeff Innocent and Live at the Apollo star Marcus Brigstocke headline a premium night of outdoor stand-up comedy. More Info

🎤 Jamali Maddix WIP | 7:30pm, Tue @ Komedia
The critically acclaimed comic hits the intimate studio stage to road-test brand-new material and unfiltered observational humour before his next major tour. More Info

🕵️ The Spy Who Came In From The Cold | 7:30pm, Tue @ Theatre Royal
John le Carré's undisputed masterpiece of modern espionage literature is brought to life on stage for the first time ever in a thrilling adaptation. More Info

🎬 Brighton Queer Movie Club: Come See Me in the Good Light | 6pm, Tue @ Daltons
Tickets are going fast for this community-centered screening of a poignant, unexpectedly funny queer love story following two poets transforming terminal illness into a celebration of resilience. More Info

Wed

🏏 Special Olympics Cricket | 1:30pm, Wed @ Moulsecoomb Community Leisure Centre - Sussex Cricket coaches host a fun, inclusive, and relaxed sporting session teaching fundamental match skills to adults with learning disabilities or autism.
More Info

🎶 Benoit Viellefon Hot Club | 7:30pm, Wed @ The Brunswick Pub
Experience the burning excitement of 1930s Parisian nightlife with a stellar performance of swing classics and elegant orchestrations. More Info

🎤 Funny That Summer Comedy Festival: Ian Stone | 7:30pm, Wed @ Brighton Open Air Theatre - Mock the Week regular Ian Stone leads an exceptional line-up of stellar comedic talent beneath the stars, hosted by resident MC Stephen Grant. More Info

🎵 Julian Marley & the Uprising | 6:30pm, Wed @ Chalk
Horizon Promotions presents the Grammy-winning reggae icon performing alongside his acclaimed band, the Uprising, for an energetic night of live roots music. More Info

Thu

🍃 Discover Brighton Through Your Senses | 5:30pm, Thu @ Bevendean Community Garden - Slow down and reconnect with nature on a peaceful guided sensory walk exploring the quieter, hidden green spaces around the city. More Info

🐚 Brighton Seaside Treasures: Oyster Shell Art | 6pm, Thu @ The Flamingo House
Turn reclaimed coastal materials into elegant decorative trinket dishes while enjoying a glass of bubbly at this creative maker workshop. More Info

✨ Penderecki's Playhouse | 7pm, Thu @ Pink Moon
An interactive charity showcase beautifully combining live acoustic music, immersive shadow puppetry, and striking visual projections. More Info

📖 An Evening with Maggie O'Farrell: Land | 7pm, Thu @ Brighton Dome
The award-winning author discusses her stellar literary career and historical fiction alongside host Kate Mosse to celebrate her latest release. More Info

🎤 John Robb | 8pm, Thu @ Komedia
The post-punk frontline veteran hosts a thrilling evening detailing his life in music, interviewing Nirvana, and his best-selling dark culture books. More Info

🎤 Laura Belbin | 8pm, Thu @ Komedia
The unfiltered force behind the hit Knee Deep In Life blog delivers a wild, hilarious, and totally laid-bare look at motherhood and modern life. More Info

Fri

🍵 Japanese Tea Tasting: Flavours from Dawn to Dusk | 12pm, Fri @ Starling Studio
Take an immersive journey through a day in Japan by exploring five premium teas curated to match moments from morning focus to evening calm. More Info

🎹 Jeff Goldblum: Meet & Greet + Signing | 4:30pm, Fri @ Resident Music
Meet Hollywood royalty live in the shop on album release day as the legendary actor celebrates his new jazz record 'Night Blooms'. More Info

🎵 Vivid People 80s & 90s Brighton Weekender | 6pm, Fri @ Oculist
The ultimate throwback beach party enters its third season with an epic weekend lineup spinning the biggest retro anthems. More Info

📸 A Mindful Discovery Photo Walk | 7pm, Fri @ Jubilee Library
See Brighton's urban core through a gentle, slower lens designed to teach creative smartphone or camera framing techniques. More Info

🎤 Stephen K Amos, Harriet Kemsley and MC Suzi Ruffell | 7pm, Fri @ Brighton Open Air Theatre - A stellar triple-bill comedy gala features top-tier comedy club talent from the UK circuit live on the outdoor stage. More Info

🎸 Maximilian | 7pm, Fri @ Pink Moon
The sublime local singer-songwriter celebrates his brand-new EP launch with intimate live support from Shipyard Groan. More Info

🎭 The Maydays: Confessions! | 7:30pm, Fri @ Komedia
Improv superstars take anonymous audience secrets and transform them into hilarious, spontaneous comedy sketches, songs, and stories. More Info

💃 The Brighton Bellesque Experience | 7:30pm, Fri @ Horizon Nightclub
An immersive, body-positive celebration packed with playful interaction, confidence-boosting movement, and sensual performance art. More Info

🎭 Howard Katz By Patrick Marber | 7:30pm, Fri @ The Lantern Theatre
Experience a dark, character-driven theatrical drama tracing the chaotic mid-life breakdown and flashbacks of a cynical talent agent. More Info

⚽ Active Future Futsal Academy (Ages 8-13) | 6:30pm, Fri @ Longhill Sports Centre
A fast-paced indoor futsal academy focusing on ball contact and quick reflexes, complete with two free taster sessions for kids. More Info

Live Music

The Bug Club | 7:30pm, Tue @ Concorde 2
Culpeper's Medicine Garden | 6pm, Tue @ At The Coach House
Real Farmer | 8pm, Tue @ The Prince Albert

Ashley Slater's Heptet | 7:30pm, Wed @ Komedia
Benoit Viellefon Hot Club | 7:30pm, Wed @ The Brunswick Pub
Julian Marley & The Uprising | 7pm, Wed @ Chalk
Pigeon Pit & Cheap Dirty Horse | 7pm, Wed @ The Brunswick
Jamie Ross-Hulme, Tory Turk and Richard Vahrman | 7:30pm, Wed @ East Street Tap

David Ford | 8pm, Thu @ The Hare & Hounds
Distress Call Wither Release Gig | 7pm, Thu @ The Green Door Store
Fighting For Unity 10:infinite Wisdom, Aku, True Intent, Sylvia | 6pm, Thu @ Daltons
Freya Ridings | 6:30pm, Thu @ Resident Music
"Hitting The Floor" with Tell Me Again | 8:30pm, Thu @ Pipeline
Katie Gregson-MacLeod | 7:30pm, Thu @ The Folklore Rooms
The Slingers | 7pm, Thu @ Alphabet
Topette!! | 7:30pm, Thu @ The Brunswick

Ray Lamontagne | 7pm, Fri @ Brighton Dome
The Anna Howie Band | 7:30pm, Fri @ The Brunswick
Aural Detritus Concert Series | 7:30pm, Fri @ Friends' Meeting House
chest. | 8pm, Fri @ The Hope & Ruin
Definitely Oasis | 7pm, Fri @ Patterns
Disco On The Terrace | 6pm, Fri @ Concorde 2
George Michael- A Celebration | 8pm, Fri @ Ironworks Studios
Hang Massive | 7pm, Fri @ Chalk
Iamwarface | 8pm, Fri @ The Prince Albert
Jeff Goldblum: Meet & Greet + Signing (early Eve) | 4:30pm, Fri @ Resident Music
Matt Holborn | 5:30pm, Fri @ St Andrew's Church
Painted Bird | 7:30pm, Fri @ The Rossi Bar
Pussyliquor / Not Richard / Chub | 7:30pm, Fri @ Brighton Electric
Shake Some Acton #152 | 7pm, Fri @ Pipeline
Sly5thave + Avijé | 7pm, Fri @ Alphabet|
Vent 414 | 7pm, Fri @ Concorde 2
Vivid People 80s & 90s Brighton Weekender | 6pm, Fri @ Oculist

Last week's trivia saw a royal landslide! A whopping 76.47% of you knew that the Pavilion's biggest dome was meant to be the Prince Regent's bedroom, but he grew too fat to climb the stairs to reach it. Pure seaside petty history at its finest.

This week, we’re keeping things by the coast but dipping below sea level. Opened way back in 1872, Sea Life Brighton holds the incredible title of being the oldest continuously operating aquarium in the world. To lure in wealthy Victorian tourists, the owners didn't just showcase fish; they added some seriously unexpected, high-society lifestyle features to the building.