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🐦 A Free Makers Weekend, £65M Leisure Centre Plans & The Big Election

🐦 A Free Makers Weekend, £65M Leisure Centre Plans & The Big Election

The council has submitted huge plans for King Alfred, while the i360’s new boss gets honest about the "biggest risk" of her life.

Ben Watkins
March 10, 2026

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Good afternoon, Brighton!

This week, the headlines are focused on the massive £65m plans for the King Alfred and an honest look at the i360's future after the release of a report into the overoptimistic planning behind it. Outside of the headlines, we've got a creative takeover in Portslade and arguably the best New York-style pizza in Brighton.

Here’s what’s squawking this week:

🏟️ Formal plans submitted for the new King Alfred leisure centre
🗳️ Sussex prepares for a huge political shake-up
🎟️ A big weekend in Portslade packed with workshops & a makers market
🍕 NY-style sourdough ‘pies’ in North Laine

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🏟️ Formal plans submitted for £65m King Alfred Leisure Centre

The council has submitted a formal planning application for a new £65 million leisure centre to be built on the western end of the current Hove site. If approved, construction on the modern facility, featuring sea-view pools and an underground car park, could begin by the end of the year, while the existing centre remains open until completion in late 2028.
→ Read more on Brighton & Hove News

🗼 New i360 owner admits takeover was "biggest risk" of her life

Nightcap CEO Sarah Willingham has described acquiring the i360 for £150,000 as a significant personal and professional gamble following the attraction's 2024 administration. While the venue has seen a "great summer" under new management, a recent independent report highlighted that original business plans suffered from "optimism bias" by comparing the tower to the Eiffel Tower.
→ Read more on BBC News

🗳️ Sussex braces for "sweeping" political change in May elections

Almost 1.5 million voters across Sussex will head to the polls on 7 May to elect county councillors for the first time in five years. The elections are seen as a critical test for Conservative dominance in the region, with Reform UK, the Liberal Democrats, and the Green Party all positioned to challenge traditional voting strongholds.
→ Read more on BBC News

🏢 Council puts Bartholomew House up for sale for £5m

Brighton and Hove City Council has placed its major office block in Bartholomew Square on the market to raise funds for its £240 million capital investment programme. While the council aims to reduce property costs by moving services to Hove Town Hall, housing campaigners have launched a petition calling for the building to be converted into temporary accommodation instead.
→ Read more on The Argus

♻️ Food waste collections expand to final 73,000 homes

The final phase of the city’s free weekly food waste rollout began this Monday, covering central Brighton, Kemptown, Hanover, and Seven Dials. The council has invested £1.2 million in the service, which has already diverted over 1,000 tonnes of waste from incineration since the pilot began last year.
→ Read more on BBC News

Also in the news:

🎭 The Fight for Equality in Comedy: Kelly Edwards-Good from Komedia has published a powerful deep-dive into why sexism and the "women aren't funny" myth still plagues the industry in 2026. From pay gaps to safety on the circuit, it’s a great read on the double standards female comics face. → read more on Komedia

🏠 Hundreds of Empty Homes Brought Back into Use: Council teams have successfully returned 264 long-term vacant private properties to the housing market since last April through targeted enforcement and tax premiums. → read more on Brighton & Hove News

🧶 "The Knitting Man" Inspires at Brighton Exhibition: 61-year-old Gary Ray Smith, a social media sensation known for his "off-piste" knitting, is showcasing his intricate designs at Indelible Fine Art until April. → read more on BBC News

🌳 Portslade Tree Felling Delayed After Resident Protests: The council has paused plans to remove two mature trees at Windlesham Close following a community demonstration and threats by residents to chain themselves to the trunks. → read more on The Argus

💼 Hove Peer Maggie Jones Appointed Chair of ACAS: Baroness Jones of Whitchurch will lead the national employment relations body from April, overseeing the implementation of the new Employment Rights Act. → read more on Brighton & Hove News

🔥 Boat Fire at Brighton Marina Handed to Staff: Fire crews from four appliances tackled a boat blaze at the West Jetty in the early hours of this morning; the cause has been ruled as accidental. → read more on The Argus

🎸 Alice Cooper Announces Brighton Speaking Tour Date: The rock legend will visit the city on 16 October as part of a UK tour to promote his new "ultimate memoir," Devil On My Shoulder. → read more on The Argus

⚓ Marina Seeks Interim Licence for Dredging Works: Owners have applied for a one-year licence to disperse sediment at Rottingdean, citing a legal duty to maintain safe navigational access to the harbour. → read more on BBC News

🚑 Dozens of New Ambulances Join Sussex Fleet: Secamb is rolling out 92 new dual-crewed vehicles this month, including several kitted out at the Lewes commissioning centre for service in Brighton and Hove. → read more on Brighton & Hove News

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🎨 Meet the Makers: Portslade’s Creative Takeover

The Portslade Artists and Makers Network (PAM) is proving that you don't need a central Brighton postcode to find a cultural hub, bringing the spotlight to South Portslade for a celebration of local talent.

This isn't just a conventional craft fair where you browse and move on; it’s a creative takeover where you can watch a weaver build a pattern or try your hand at papercutting. Whether you’re a beginner looking for a sanctuary or a collector hunting for something unique, it’s all about connecting with the people who actually make the things we love.

🔗 See the full schedule, times and details

🖼️ The Makers' Market

⏱️ 10-5pm (Sat & Sun)
Photography, jewellery, textiles, and woodwork all under one roof. Grab a one-of-a-kind gift and meet the faces behind the craft.

🥟 Community Eats
The food is being handled by the Network of International Women for Brighton & Hove, so the savoury and sweet snacks are guaranteed to be top-tier.

✂️ Hands-On Workshops & Demonstrations

🎨 Body Painted Life Drawing | Sat, Mar 28 | 12pm | A unique twist on the classic class with Jenni Reika.

📐 Papercutting Workshop | Sat, Mar 28 | 1:30pm & 3pm | Get sharp with Suzanne Snow (18+).

🧪 Resin Workshop | Sun, Mar 29 | 10:15am | Learn the art of the pour with Pixie Dhel.

🪡 Sashiko Mending | Sun, Mar 29 | 11am & 12pm | Learn the beautiful Japanese art of functional embroidery—perfect for giving your old jeans a second life.

🏺 Multi-sensory Clay | Sun, Mar 29 | 2pm | A hands-on, tactile session with Ruby Campion.

✨ Watch the Experts | Drop-in | No booking? No problem. Just show up and watch experts like Sophia Passmore (clay), John Haywood (watercolour), and Sarah McLean (tapestry) do their thing live.

🍕 Original Tony's

Not to be confused with the legendary Original Toby's (RIP) of lockdown fame, Original Tony’s was the new kid on Trafalgar Street in the summer of last year, and it’s already carved out its own reputation for New York style ‘pies’ with a strict focus on just that. This isn’t your typical high-street greasy takeaway, it’s a small and stylish pizzeria in the heart of the North Laine that is a pizza-purist, focused on the craft of a 96-hour slow-fermented dough. The result is a photogenic 14-inch pizza with a perfectly charred, airy crust that’s hand-stretched to order.

The menu hits that sweet spot between tradition and modern invention. You can go for a classic New York Cheese or try something bolder like the Sussex Blue with Roasted Pears and Zhoug. The only other options besides the pizza is their own homemade dips like American ranch and a ‘special sauce’ to keep things interesting, and 2 starter options of olives or some gourmet beech-smoked Nardin anchovies. And of course, if it’s a first date and you need a tipple to calm the nerves, Tony’s also has cocktails like their spicy margarita and a range of beers and wines too.

In the evening, the atmosphere leans into a great soundtrack to keep the mood lively, giving the place a great energy without overdoing it. You can expect a great vibe, friendly service, and pizzas that have already built a serious reputation deserving of a date for any pizza-loving lovers.

📍 15 Trafalgar Street
🕣 4pm-10:30pm (Wed-Fri), 12-3pm 4-10:30pm (Sat), 4-9pm (Sun)
🔗 Menu & Reservations

🏡 An Art Deco Masterpiece

This 4,300 sq ft Art Deco reimagining sits on the exclusive Roedean cliffs, offering the kind of uninterrupted Channel views usually reserved for Bond villains. Spread across four symmetrical floors, it features six en-suite bedrooms, a "fantasy" principal suite with its own sunset terrace, and a self-contained apartment tucked into the garden for when the guests (or the adult kids) refuse to leave.

📍 Roedean Road
💰 £2,750,000
🔗 View on Rightmove

10/3/26 - 13/3/26

Wed

🏔️ London Mountain Film Festival 2026
7:30pm @ Ropetackle Arts Centre
An annual celebration of adventure and exploration featuring brand-new extreme sports and documentary films from around the world. More Info

📱 Daniel Foxx: How Lovely
8pm @ Komedia
The viral sensation navigates the trials of dating in your 30s and a growing addiction to Le Creuset with his signature wit. More Info

🔮 Clinton Baptiste: Spectral Intercourse
7:30pm @ Brighton Dome
Phoenix Nights’ favorite medium returns to the stage to serve as a hilariously questionable envoy for solutions from the afterlife. More Info

🧙 The History Of Witchcraft & Women
7pm @ Brighthelm Centre
An engaging talk exploring the evolution of the witch from a symbol of persecution to a powerful modern feminist icon. More Info

🎻 Ethereal - Calming String Music
7:30pm @ The Old Market
A tranquil evening combining live string performances with stunning 360º visual projections for a unique sensory experience. More Info

Thu

🧍 Rob Auton: CAN
7:30pm @ Komedia
The multi-award-winning performer presents his debut narrative show about a fictional, once-famed motivational speaker named CAN. More Info

🦒 The Giraffe Who Wouldn’t Bath
11:30am @ Ropetackle Arts Centre
Interactive storytelling for toddlers following Gerald the baby giraffe on a "sticky-icky" journey of discovery. More Info

🍑 Aisling Bea: Older Than Jesus
8pm @ Brighton Dome
The BAFTA-winning star of This Way Up hits the road with a new hour of stories covering sex, babies, lovers, and enemies. More Info

🎢 Grinstock Comedy Club
7pm @ Saltdean Lido
A new true comedy club experience featuring four incredible comedians and a professional MC at the iconic Lido. More Info

🍀 Grace Mulvey: Did You Hear We’re All Going To Die?
8pm @ Komedia
A razor-sharp and uplifting hour about loss from one of the fastest-rising stars of the Irish comedy scene. More Info

🎤 The Branding Needs Work
7:30pm @ The Caxton Arms
A supportive night where experienced and new acts test out fresh material in a relaxed, hilariously unpredictable environment. More Info

Fri

☘️ Ardal O'Hanlon: Not Himself
8pm @ Brighton Dome
The comedy legend diagnoses the pathologies and neuroses of humanity with his trademark surreal flourishes and sharp observations. More Info

✨ Komedia Comedy Club
8pm @ Komedia
Three top acts and an MC showcase the best of the UK's independent live comedy circuit. More Info

🎨 Helm Gallery: Take The Streets
6pm @ Helm Gallery
A weekly takeover fusing art, music, tattoos, and cocktails in one of the city’s most electric creative spaces. More Info

⚽ Active Future Futsal Academy
6:30pm @ Longhill Sports Centre
Fast-paced indoor football for ages 8-13 focusing on technique, quick thinking, and high ball contact. More Info

👶 Story Magic
10am and 11am @ Komedia
Engaging storytelling sessions for toddlers featuring music, movement, and puppets from Fideri Fidera. More Info

Live Music

Last week, we asked which legendary businesswoman started a business in 1976 that grew to become a high-street stable across Britain and beyond, and 89% of you nailed it with The Body Shop!

This week we’re looking at the city’s Art Deco heritage after being inspired by today’s property pick.