Hello, Brighton & Hove!

In the headlines, there’s a long-awaited reveal of Palmeira Square and a shocking fraud investigation on a Jeweller formerly based in the Lanes. We’ve also got a dive into some amazing events and new shows at two festivals over the next few weeks, and a newly opened spot serving up NYC-style cookies alongside freshly roasted beans and drinkable desserts.

Here’s what’s squawking this week: 

🍔 The 24/7 McDonald's showdown in Hove
🎨 A double dose of city-wide festivals
🦕 A £140k glow-up for the Booth Museum
🍪 NYC cookies land in the heart of The Lanes

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🍔 Big Mac protest hitting Hove tonight

Neighbours are rallying at 6pm today, Tue, to fight plans for a 24/7 McDonald’s drive-thru on Old Shoreham Road. Campaigners claim the community wasn't properly consulted and fear the impact on local health given the proximity to several schools. While the chain promises 120 new jobs, locals say the 24-hour noise and traffic just aren't worth the trade-off.
→ Read more on Brighton & Hove News

💎 Victims of "rogue jeweller" speak out

A BBC investigation has just uncovered claims that customers of a Lanes jeweller were "groomed" into parting with hundreds of thousands of pounds. Mehmet Sever, who ran Platinum Fine Jewellery, allegedly disappeared to Turkey in December, leaving a trail of missing sentimental items and unpaid loans. Sussex Police are now investigating 34 cases of fraud and theft linked to the shuttered shops.
→ Read more on BBC News

🦕 £140k upgrade for the Booth Museum

Our favourite natural history museum is getting a major facelift after a significant government grant was confirmed this week. The funding will refresh the Victorian galleries and bring exotic specimens like the echidna and thorny devil out of storage for the first time. It’s also getting a new biodiversity education hub, with the grand reopening set for early 2027.
→ Read more on BBC News

🌿 Palmeira Square’s new look finally revealed

Residents are finally enjoying the new-look Palmeira Square after a seven-month makeover of its historic flower beds. The new layout ditches the old floral clock for sustainable, pollinator-friendly planting that matches the square's original 1950s character. It remains closed for a few more weeks to let the turf settle, with a public consultation on a permanent clock replacement launching next month.
→ Read more on Brighton & Hove News

🌊 Thousands object to Marina "sludge" dumping plans

A massive wave of opposition has hit plans to dump dredged sediment from Brighton Marina into a protected marine conservation zone. Over 6,000 people have signed a petition warning that the thick, black sludge could devastate rare wildlife hotspots and seahorse colonies along our coast. While the Marina says dredging is vital for boat safety, campaigners are demanding a cleaner, long-term solution.
→ Read more on BBC News

Also in the news:

🚶 Campaign for New Ditchling Road Crossing: Hollingbury residents are urging the council to use developer funds for a safer way to reach the hillfort. → read more on Brighton & Hove News

🗳️ Regional Super-Authority Unlocks First £30m: The new board met for the first time to start spending a £1.14bn pot on transport and skills. → read more on BBC News

🎪 Park Event Preparations Move Ahead Without Permits: The council is pressing on with site work for the Brighton Festival despite planning applications still being pending. → read more on Brighton & Hove News

🏫 Primary Schools Struggle to Fill Places: National offer day data shows only a third of city schools are full, with Middle Street Primary receiving just two applications. → read more on Brighton & Hove News

🚫 Court Boards Up Moulsecoomb "Nightmare Neighbour" Flat: A Newick Road home has been closed for three months following years of abuse and an armed police stand-off. → read more on Brighton & Hove News

🏫 Hove Park School Campus Closure Consultation: The council is seeking views on moving the school onto a single site at Nevill Campus by 2028. → read more on Brighton & Hove News

⚽ Rutter Saves the Day Against Spurs: Georginio Rutter scored a dramatic 95th-minute equaliser to secure a 2-2 draw for the Albion last weekend. → read more on BBC Sport

👮 Patrol Cops Jail Drug Dealers for 64 Years: Two Brighton PCs have been praised for making 139 arrests and seizing kilos of Class A drugs in just 11 months. → read more on Brighton & Hove News

⚖️ July Trial Set for Seaford Murder Charge: A 16-year-old boy is set to face a jury this summer charged with the fatal stabbing of Joshua Ingram. → read more on Brighton & Hove News

🎾 Covered Padel Courts Open at Withdean: Three new premium courts are officially open, with a 50% discount available for the first month. → read more on Brighton & Hove News

🛡️ Domestic Abuse Background Checks Double: Requests for information under Clare’s Law have surged as more people check partners' violent histories. → read more on Brighton & Hove News

🛗 Churchill Square Glass Lift Being Replaced: The iconic lift is being ripped out and replaced with two brand-new ones to improve shopping centre accessibility. → read more on Brighton & Hove News

🐱 Firefighters Rescue Cat From High Tree: A lucky moggy was cheered to safety on Elm Grove last week after getting stuck overnight at the top of an elm tree. → read more on Brighton & Hove News

🍻 New Dyke Road Bar "Cosies" Approved: Councillors granted a licence to the new venue despite police concerns, citing its "mature demographic." → read more on Brighton & Hove News

🌯 Station Grill 3am Licence Thwarted: A Queen’s Road takeaway was told it can’t open late after a panel backed police concerns over crime levels. → read more on Brighton & Hove News

🎬 Brighton International Animation Festival

📅 Sat 25 Apr - Sun 26 Apr
📍 Dome Studio Theatre

This weekend, the Dome Studio proves there is a lot more to animation than just big-budget CGI. It’s our first animator-led festival and it’s already a BAFTA-qualifier, bringing together everything from Palestinian experimental shorts to hand-painted Japanese films. It’s completely inclusive as well, with subtitles and BSL interpreters at every session so everyone can get in on the action.

🎟️ More Info & Full Programme

🚀 New Generation
Catch a glimpse of the future of storytelling with this showcase of cutting-edge talent from global film schools. These shorts cover everything from the mundane reality of washing up to profound journeys of recovery and identity.
📍 Dome Studio Theatre
🗓️ 11:30am, Sat 25 Apr

🌈 Queer as F++k
A curated selection of global queer culture spanning countries from Taiwan to Argentina. This fan-favourite showcase offers a vibrant and honest look at trans identity stories, parental drama, and ‘cosmic kisses’ through independent animation.
📍 Dome Studio Theatre
🗓️ 6pm, Sun 26 Apr

🌿 The Natural World
Take a breather with this meditative visual ode to the planet. Animators from Canada, Bulgaria, and Ireland bring tigers, whales, and deep woodland forests to life in a stunning exploration of our environment and the creatures within it.
📍 Dome Studio Theatre
🗓️ 12pm, Sun 26 Apr

🎡 Brighton Festival: The 60th Anniversary

📅 Fri 1 May - Mon 25 May
📍 Various locations across Brighton & Hove

The big one is nearly here! We’re just over a week away from the 60th anniversary of the Brighton Festival, which is set to turn the city into a month-long playground for the arts. From massive street parades to world-first circus premieres, it’s the time of year when Brighton really shows off its creative soul.

We’ve picked three standout events, with two shows running all through May and a feminism talk featuring three big-name authors that’s shifting tickets fast:

🎪 carnation (NoFit State Circus)
A physical and sensual rollercoaster of a show making its world premiere at Black Rock. This is high-stakes contemporary circus that blends humour and heart with real risk, set inside a massive immersive big top experience exploring rebellion and hope.
📍 Big Top at Black Rock
🗓️ Various times, Sat 2 May – Mon 25 May
🔗 Tickets

🎸 KlangHaus: Last Haus on Earth
An immersive live music experience that feels more like a shared secret than a standard gig. You are free to move through a domestic setting filled with light and projection, where sound shifts from near-silence to vibrations you can physically feel.
📍 Brighton Dome Anita’s Room
🗓️ Various times, Sat 2 May – Sat 23 May
🔗 Tickets

🔥 Feminism for a World on Fire
A vital, intersectional conversation with three leading authors on the global threats to women’s rights and how we can foster a more connected resistance. Natasha Walter, N.S. Nuseibeh, and Shahed Ezaydi join forces for this hard-hitting discussion.
📍 Brighton Dome Studio Theatre
🗓️ 7pm, Thu 21 May
🔗 Tickets

🥛 The Milk Shed

The Milk Shed has launched its second location right in the heart of The Lanes, bringing its own freshly roasted beans to a busier part of town. The name is a nod to its original home near the Pavilion which served as a working dairy back in the 1800s. This new location is a fair bit larger than a shed, but maintains the same black and white design and minimalist look of the orignal spot.

This new spot is about more than just the brew and usual pastries, they’ve introduced a range of NYC-style stuffed cookies that are baked fresh on the premises every day. You can pair one with 'drinkable desserts' like the Tiramisu espresso with mascarpone cream and cocoa or the Miso Caramel Latte topped with cold foam. These are made for a sunny wander through the Lanes which is a top shout given this weekend’s forecast. Since it is only a quick hop from the seafront, you could even use it as a handy pitstop before the timeless long walk date on the beach.

Sustainability is a major part of The Milk Shed’s business, show by their participation in 1% for the Planet, meaning they donate a slice of their gross sales to environmental non-profits to help look after the earth. Their team is just as passionate about using the latest tech to produce the best coffee possible, like the use of profiling software to make sure every batch of beans is roasted with precision so you get a consistent cup every time.

You can also bring that quality back to your own kitchen via their online store. They offer various coffee subscriptions that deliver single-origin bags right to your door on a regular schedule. A good example is the Roaster's Choice, where the Head Roaster selects a seasonal blend so you can explore different global flavours from home. It is a handy way to stay stocked up while supporting a local independent that is highly regarded amongst coffee-heads from here to Glasgow.

📍 13A Prince Albert St, The Lanes
🕣 9am-5pm (Mon-Fri), 10am-6pm (Sat), 10am-5pm (Sun)
🔗 Online Store & Locations

💎 The Glass Palace of Roedean

Spanning over 7,000 sq ft across four levels, this architecturally striking residence is a masterclass in modern coastal scale. It features a massive open-plan living space with full-height glazing to soak in those panoramic Channel views, plus a state-of-the-art gym and a top-floor studio that’s basically a glass box in the sky.

📍 Roedean Crescent, Brighton
💰 £4,500,000
🔗 View on Rightmove

Tue

🍹 Cocktail Meeting: Women in Music | 6pm, Tue @ Mrs Fitzherberts
A thriving community event for music professionals to connect, release pressure, and find inspiration over a refreshing drink. More Info

🎶 Some Voices: Bangers & Mashups | 7:15pm, Tue @ The Old Market
A feast of big tunes and bold mashups from across the decades, including karaoke opportunities throughout the night. More Info

🎲 The Dice That Changed The World | 7:30pm, Tue @ Wagner Hall
A deep dive into the 50-year history of Dungeons & Dragons, exploring how it sparked a global cultural revolution in gaming. More Info

🎤 Jessie Nixon: Don’t Make Me Regret This! | 7:30pm, Tue @ Komedia Brighton
Ripped-out heart, glitter, and squirty cream—Jessie delivers a high-stakes hour for the queer, the distraught, and the smart. More Info

🎸 Folklore Monthly Showcase | 7:30pm, Tue @ The Folklore Rooms
Discover your new favourite artist at this free-entry showcase, this month featuring London neo-soul artist Steven Bamidele. More Info

🍻 The Choir of Man | 7:30pm, Tue @ Theatre Royal Brighton
The best pub in the world comes to the stage with foot-stomping hits from Queen, Sia, and Adele. An uplifting night of community. More Info

Wed

🎻 Stage & Screen: String Quartet | 7pm, Wed @ Ironworks Studios
The Marella Quartet perform iconic film and theatre music in an intimate, atmospheric candlelight concert. More Info

🎭 Resilience | 7:45pm, Wed @ Rottingdean Village Public Hall
A climate change thriller where the Government’s Resilience Department struggles to handle a catastrophic flood threat. More Info

🦈 Silent Art Auction | 6pm, Wed @ Sea Life Brighton
A "so-fish-ticated" evening viewing local art in the historic aquarium to raise funds for the SEA LIFE Trust. More Info

🇮🇪 Emma Doran: Emmaculate | 8pm, Wed @ Komedia
The viral Irish star explores the trials of family life in her brand-new stand-up show. More Info

Thu

🤣 Seann Walsh: This Is Torture | 8pm, Thu @ Brighton Dome
The UK’s dishevelled king of stand-up returns with trademark high-energy exasperation and razor-sharp observations. Limited tickets available. More Info

🎩 Joe Black’s Kleines Kabarett | 8pm, Thu @ Komedia Brighton
Brighton’s Weimar-infused extravaganza. Filthy, fun, and delicious cabaret hosted by the incomparable Joe Black. More Info

📽️ Short Circuit: Village People | 6pm, Thu @ Fabrica
A screening of unconventional short documentaries offering diverse glimpses of urban and rural community life worldwide. More Info

🐈 Amy Mason: Behold! | 8pm, Thu @ Komedia Brighton
A silly yet razor-witted dive into digital dependency and what happens when hackers use your dead cat’s name to ruin your life. More Info

💬 The Branding Needs Work | 7:30pm, Thu @ Caxton Arms
A supportive free comedy night where pro acts and newcomers test fresh material. More Info

🎙️ Luke & Pete Talking Sheet | 7:30pm, Thu @ The Forge Comedy Club
The chaotic duo Peter Rethinasamy and Luke Craig take their podcast on the road for a live and unedited session. More Info

🧺 The Sussex Peasant Spring Market | 9am-2pm, Thu @ Hove Town Hall
Meet local farmers and food artisans at this seasonal pop-up market in the heart of Hove. More Info

Fri

☕ Josh Widdicombe: Not My Cup of Tea | 7:30pm, Fri @ Brighton Dome
Expect fewer production values than the Eras Tour, but significantly more references to tea. Limited tickets available. More Info

🎸 Imagine Lennon | 7pm, Fri @ Concorde 2
Tyson Kelly (Broadway’s "Let It Be") brings a striking and intimate portrayal of John Lennon’s legacy to the seafront. More Info

🏺 Hand-Building Pottery BYOB | 6:30pm, Fri @ Cornerstone Community Centre
Slow down and get creative with pinching and coiling techniques in this relaxed, creative environment. More Info

✨ Forge Comedy Club | 8pm, Fri @ The Forge Comedy Club
Brighton's top-rated comedy night featuring a pro lineup in the venue voted Chortle's Best in the South. More Info

🎺 Jazz at St Andrews: Jazz Mafia | 5:30pm, Fri @ St Andrew's Church
The 15-piece big band led by Alex Bondonno returns with a concert full of local star soloists. More Info

🧠 Age is a Stage | 11am, Fri @ Theatre Royal Brighton
A playful creative workshop designed specifically for the older generation who still feel young at heart. More Info

📖 Story Magic | 10am & 11am, Fri @ Komedia Brighton
Award-winning children's theatre featuring music, movement, and puppets for little ones aged 9 months to 4 years. More Info

Live Music

Lusaint | Komedia | Tue, Apr 21
Sick Thoughts | Prince Albert | Tue, Apr 21
Noah Kahan: 'The Great Divide' Listening Event | Resident | Tue, Apr 21
Chip Wickham | Alphabet | Tue, Apr 21
Hill Collective | The Brunswick | Tue, Apr 21

Picture Parlour | Green Door Store | Wed, Apr 22
Oslo Twins | Prince Albert | Wed, Apr 22
Leo Middea | Alphabet | Wed, Apr 22
Allman Brown | Folklore Rooms | Wed, Apr 22
Knats | Hope & Ruin | Wed, Apr 22

Demob Happy | Concorde 2 | Thu, Apr 23
Howling Bells | Alphabet | Thu, Apr 23
Erotic Secrets of Pompeii | The Brunswick | Thu, Apr 23
Jarki Monno | Green Door Store | Thu, Apr 23

Kneecap | Chalk | Fri, Apr 24
Imagine Lennon | Concorde 2 | Fri, Apr 24
BCUC | Brighton Dome - Studio Theatre | Fri, Apr 24
The Bros. Landreth | The Old Market | Fri, Apr 24
Memorials | Prince Albert | Fri, Apr 24
Hidden Herd Presents: White Magic For Lovers | Hope & Ruin | Fri, Apr 24

Last week took us to Italy and one of the two micro-states based within the boot-shaped country. The correct answer was San Marino, with 83.15% of you getting it correct. This tiny country has a population 7 times smaller than Brighton and Hove with just 34,172 residents!

This week, in celebration of Brighton’s first International Animation Festival, we’re asking what film was the first to be made by the legendary Walt Disney: