👋 Hello, Brighton & Hove

Blue Monday is officially in the rearview mirror, and we’re back with a vibrant lineup of ways to spend your week. From hands-on workshops and local comedy awards to high-energy discos and the hunt for Brighton’s fluffiest Japanese pancakes, there is plenty to keep the January blues at bay.

Here's what's squawking this week:

🗑️ Fortnightly rubbish collections could be on the way
🚧 Park and Ride trial comes under fire over low use
💡 Learn new skills, get creative and meet new people with workshops, classes and clubs
🥞 Legendary Japanese pancakes and strawberry matchas

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🗑️ Fortnightly rubbish collections could be introduced to the city

Brighton and Hove City Council is considering a move to fortnightly refuse collections in an effort to improve the city's recycling rates, which currently sit at just 26 per cent. A cabinet report highlights that the city is an outlier, as over 80 per cent of English councils have already moved away from weekly collections to encourage waste reduction. Officials believe that combining this change with the new weekly food waste service could see recycling levels climb toward 40 per cent in the near future.

→ read more on Brighton & Hove News

🌊 Volunteers lead massive beach clean-up after cargo spill

Community groups and local residents have spent the week clearing debris from Brighton and Sussex beaches after several shipping containers fell from vessels near the Isle of Wight. Volunteers have reported finding a significant influx of plastics, face masks, and packaging crates washing up along the shoreline from Rottingdean to Seaford. While the council has deployed its own cleaning teams, officials have praised the "phenomenal" response from the public in helping to manage the major salvage operation.

→ read more on BBC News

🚧 Peak-time charges could cut roadwork holdups

The council is exploring a "lane rental" scheme that would charge utility companies up to £2,500 per day for carrying out roadworks on busy streets during peak hours. This initiative aims to incentivise providers like Southern Water and UK Power Networks to complete their repairs more quickly, potentially reducing the average duration of emergency works from 20 days to under five. Similar schemes in neighbouring counties have already generated millions in surplus revenue, which Brighton and Hove plans to reinvest into local transport projects.

→ read more on Brighton & Hove News

🚗 Opposition slams "expensive" park and ride trial results

The council's summer park and ride trial has come under fire from Green and Conservative councillors who have labelled the £52,000 experiment a "vanity project." Data revealed that the seven-day trial at the University of Sussex campus attracted roughly 200 users per day, leading critics to argue the funds would be better spent on existing sustainable transport. However, proponents suggest the trial provided essential data for developing a permanent solution to city centre congestion and high parking fees.

→ read more on Brighton & Hove News

🗳️ Plans progress for new "Combined County Authority" for Sussex

Brighton and Hove leaders are set to approve the formal creation of the Sussex and Brighton Combined County Authority to prepare for the introduction of an elected mayor. Although the first mayoral election has been delayed until 2028, the new body is expected to launch this spring to oversee strategic planning in transport, housing, and economic growth. The government has confirmed an interim funding package of £12.7 million per year for the next two years to support the transition toward the new devolution model.

→ read more on Brighton & Hove News

🚆 Train lines reopen after overrunning engineering works

All four lines on the Brighton Mainline returned to service early Monday morning following weekend works between Gatwick Airport and East Croydon. Network Rail warned that while the lines are open, passengers may still face residual delays and cancellations as the network returns to a normal schedule. The essential engineering works are part of a wider project scheduled to continue over several weekends throughout the spring.

→ read more on BBC News

Also in the news:

🚌 Faulty bus info boards may not be fixed for weeks: New digital displays installed last summer continue to suffer from glitches and blank screens, with repairs not expected to be completed until late February. → read more on Brighton & Hove News

🏠 Mould case against Brighton landlord settled: A legal dispute between a tenant and his landlords over damp issues in an Upper Lewes Road flat has reached a settlement after claims that air vents had been blocked. → read more on Brighton & Hove News 

💰 Hunt for missing Euromillions winner over: A West Sussex resident or group has finally come forward to claim a £1,000,000 prize from the EuroMillions UK Millionaire Maker draw held on 2 January. → read more on BBC News 

🏗️ Developer makes fresh bid to avoid having to knock new house down: A property owner has submitted a third application to save a Shirley Drive home from demolition after building an unapproved 800 sq ft basement. → read more on Brighton & Hove News 

📣 Teen campaigner rallies support for housing plans: 15-year-old Scarlett is leafletting Woodingdean to encourage residents to support new council home proposals as family homelessness in the city reaches a four-year high. → read more on BBC News 

🏫 Long-serving primary head to leave within weeks: Emma Lake is stepping down as executive head teacher of Hangleton and Benfield Primary Schools at the end of January after nearly 20 years in leadership. → read more on Brighton & Hove News 

🌊 Residents invited to help shape the future of the seafront: The Seafront Development Board is hosting a public engagement event at the Brighton Centre on 31 January to gather views on coastline improvements. → read more on The Argus

🛠️ Workshops, Clubs & Classes

With Blue Monday just yesterday, now is the time to beat the January slump by getting social and trying something new. From kneading sourdough in Kemptown to Tudor treasures from the Thames mud, here is our pick of the best ways to connect with others and sharpen your skills this new year.

🧠 Brains & Bodies

🕵️ Mudlarking & 3D History
Wed 4 Feb, 6:00pm | The Bevy, Moulsecoomb | Free 
This informal talk pairs a digital 3D reconstruction of Shakespeare’s daughter's home with a hands-on look at coins and personal items pulled from the Thames mud by a professional mudlark. More Info

🎭 Acting Class: Creating Character & Story
Tue 17 Feb, 7:30pm | Cornerstone Community Centre, Hove | £95 (4 sessions) 
Build authentic characters and original scenes in this four-week course designed for actors and writers to deepen their connection with text. More Info

⭕ DreamSpin Learn to Hoop
Mondays & Tuesdays, 6:15pm | Hanover Community Centre | £65 per course 
This six-week course blends fitness with circus flair, teaching you everything from basic waist hooping to complex rhythmic gymnastics tricks. More Info

🎨 Mindful Portrait Drawing
Mon 26 Jan, 7:00pm | North Laine Brewhouse | Free 
Ditch the pressure of perfection at this relaxed monthly session where you can practice sketching portraits with a drink in hand. More Info

🧘 After-Work Guided Meditation
Tue & Thu, 6:00pm | Bodhisattva Kadampa Centre | £3 
These thirty-minute drop-in sessions offer a quick mental reset through breathing exercises designed to clear away the day's stress. More Info

🥐 The Open Bakery Series

Kemptown’s favourite bakery has regular expert-led classes in its kitchen with a series of deep dives into the world of artisan baking and technical patisserie. More Info

📍 63/64 St George's Road, Kemptown

🍞 Amazing Artisan Homemade Bread | Sat 7 Feb, 12:00pm | £140
🥐 Croissant and Pain au Chocolat | Sun 8 Feb, 10:45am | £140
🍝 Handmade Pasta Workshop | Sat 21 Feb, 1:00pm | £80
🧁 Macaron Class | Sat 28 Feb, 1:00pm | £100
🍮 Portuguese Baking | Sat 24 Jan & 31 Jan, 1:00pm | £90
🥨 Scandinavian Sweet Pastries | Sat 14 Feb, 1:00pm | £90
🥖 Sourdough Enthusiasts! | Sun 25 Jan & 22 Feb, 10:30am | £160

🎨 Creative Crafts & Cultures

✨ Stained Glass Workshops
Daily (check website) | Blue Skies Glass Studio, Rottingdean | £80-£260 
Learn the traditional art of copper-foiling to create your own custom stained glass suncatchers under the guidance of a local expert. More Info

🧪 Wild Cultures: Fermented Drinks
Sat 31 Jan, 2:00pm | Everflyht Vineyard, Ditchling | £55 
Master the science of the fizz as you learn to brew your own probiotic-rich kombucha and kefir at home. More Info

🚀 For the Kids

👩‍🚀 Crafty Kids: Zoom to the Moon
Sun 8 Feb, 11:30am & 2:00pm | Brighton Dome | £6 
Young astronauts can get messy with space-themed arts and crafts in this collaborative session for children and their grown-ups. More Info

🚜 Stories with Skip: On the Farm
Sat 7 Feb, 10:15am & 11:30am | Theatre Royal Brighton | £7.50 
A gentle, farmyard-themed introduction to the magic of the stage designed specifically for toddlers. More Info

🍵 Rawlab

Found on Trafalgar Street, Rawlab is a serene slice of East Asia just a stone's throw from the station chaos. The bustle of the North Laine fades out here, replaced by a calm, Studio Ghibli-inspired interior packed with cute trinkets and a serious dedication to Japanese and Hong Kong-style treats and a wide array of teas, juices and hand-whisked matchas.

The menu is a dream for anyone who takes their matcha green tea seriously, using ceremonial-grade matcha for lattes and signature strawberry infusions. If you're looking for a relaxed daytime date that feels more personal than a chain coffee shop, the cosy atmosphere is hard to beat, especially when paired with their absolutely must-try, incredibly light Japanese soufflé pancakes or their Hong Kong style sweet pineapple bun.

Beyond the sweets and drinks, they serve up comforting, home-cooked-style Japanese savouries, such as chicken curry rice and beef bowls as well as classics like Gyoza (including veggie options and Tofu). It’s an ideal escape for a quiet afternoon catch-up or a rainy day retreat, offering a blend of calm vibes, rare snacks, and you can even browse a unique collection of Japanese figures, toys, and collectable cards like Pokémon while you're there.

📍 73 Trafalgar Street, BN1 4EB
🕣 11:30am-5pm, Tue-Sun (from 11am Sat/Sun)
📷 View Their Instagram or Menu on Deliveroo

🏡 The Hove Heavyweight

This massive seven-bedroom detached home comes with its own heated swimming pool and a summer house, perfect for pretending you're in the Med rather than just off Dyke Road. It’s a serious amount of house, over 4,200 sq ft to be exact, featuring a sleek open-plan kitchen and sea views from the top floors.

📍 Shirley Drive, Hove
💰 £2,395,000
🔗 View on Rightmove

Tuesday

🎤 The Secret Comedy Club Open Mic (AKA See You Next Tuesday)
Tuesday, 7:00-10:30pm @ Artista Cafe and Gallery, Brighton 
A popular open mic night featuring professionals, semi-pros and new comics, with last entry at 8pm. More Info

🌟 Komedia New Comedy Award: Semi-Final Heats
Tuesday, 8:00pm @ Komedia, Brighton 
Catch the next big things in comedy as they battle it out in the semi-finals of this prestigious competition. More Info

Wednesday

🎙️ Grace Mulvey: WIP
Wednesday, 8:00pm @ Komedia, Brighton 
A fresh work-in-progress show from the BBC Galton & Simpson winner and host of the Fad Camp podcast. More Info

🍹 Cool-Aid Comedy
Wednesday, 8:00-10:30pm @ Caroline Of Brunswick, Brighton 
Brighton’s longest-running new material night featuring a mix of pros, semi-pros, and rising stars. More Info

📜 Late Georgian Scholar's Portraits
Wednesday, 7:00-9:00pm @ The Brighton & Hove Club, Hove
Professor Maurice Howard decodes the stories, clothes, and props behind portraits of 18th-century learned men and women. More Info

Thursday

😡 Gearóid Farrelly: Gearóid Rage
Thursday, 8:00pm @ Komedia, Brighton 
The hilarious Irish stand-up follows his mammoth tour with a new show about everything that makes his blood boil. More Info

🎤 The Branding Needs Work
Thursday, 7:30-9:45pm @ Caxton Arms, Brighton 
A relaxed comedy night where comedians test new material, hosted by Brighton Fringe nominee Simon Harriyott. More Info

📻 Radio Blah Blah with Guy Lloyd LIVE
Thursday, 7:00-9:00pm @ The Actors, Brighton 
A live radio-style variety show featuring music from Scarlett Fae, ACTRS, and 7celsius plus big-name interviews. More Info

🪩 Lost In Music - One Night at the Disco
Thursday, 7:30pm @ Theatre Royal, Brighton 
A high-energy tribute to the 70s with a live band performing hits from Donna Summer, Chic, and more. More Info

🎶 Hove Rock Choir
Thursday, 10:00am @ Central United Reformed Church, Hove 
Sing your heart out at this community choir session led by Charlotte Nash—no audition required. More Info

Friday

🎭 Komedia Comedy Club
Friday, 8:00pm @ Komedia, Brighton 
Three top comedy acts and an MC at one of the UK’s most celebrated independent comedy venues. More Info

🎤 Freak of Nature Comedy
Friday, 8:00-10:30pm @ Caxton Arms, Brighton 
A free Friday night comedy showcase featuring established comedians from across the South Coast. More Info

✨ Story Magic
Friday, 10:00am & 11:00am @ Komedia, Brighton 
Fideri Fidera presents music, movement, and storytelling fun for little ones aged 9 months to 4 years. More Info

🪐 30s & 40s Single's Mixer with Love at First Sign
Friday, 7:00-10:30pm @ HarBAR And Kitchen, Brighton 
An astrology-powered dating night where compatibility is written in the stars. More Info

Last week, we asked ‘Who was the author of the famous best-seller, Brighton Rock’ and a whopping 91% of you got it right with Graham Greene!

This week I’m inspired after watching locally-educated Chloe Zhao’s Hamnet (I strongly recommend watching!), which is tipped for several Oscars this year. But what other film did she already win two Oscars for?