- The Brighton Squawk
- Posts
- 🐦 Brunswick Beats, IKEA Treats & Brighton Heat
🐦 Brunswick Beats, IKEA Treats & Brighton Heat
From great-cause gigs to chip-free shopping — Brighton’s week ahead.
☀️ Good morning, Brighton and Hove,
Another heatwave is here, with highs over 27°C and a sunny, very slightly cooler weekend ahead — perfect for Brunswick Festival. Also this week: IKEA finally opens its doors, the council’s boundary row rumbles on, plus a festival for a great cause, our date spot of the week, and plenty of other local happenings.
Here’s what’s squawking this week:
🛋️ Flat-packs & free chips – IKEA finally lands in Brighton
💖 Feel-good beats, even better cause – a festival with heart
☕ Brunch with a side of vintage treasure
🎭 From stargazing to swing dancing – the best events across the city
Got an event or business to promote?
Fancy reaching 4,000+ Brightons? Just reply to this email to enquire. Our first advertisers get a very sweet deal!

🗺️ Boundary Battle Continues
Brighton & Hove City Council is under fire from Lewes DC over it’s consulting on four proposals to expand its boundaries, potentially adding East Saltdean, Telscombe Cliffs, Peacehaven, and even Newhaven.
The move is part of a national shift toward larger unitary authorities, but Lewes District Council has accused Brighton of wanting to “concrete over” neighbouring areas — a claim Brighton’s leaders reject.
Quick reminder: residents can give feedback online until 25 August or at drop-in sessions in Saltdean, Rottingdean, and Woodingdean.
🛋️ IKEA Opens Thursday
Brighton’s long-awaited IKEA opens Thursday 14 August in Churchill Square, taking over the former Debenhams with 6,695 square metres of homeware, furniture, and a deli to grab the famous Swedish meatballs. It’s the UK’s third city-centre IKEA, featuring their minimalist scandinavian design, roomsets, and click-and-collect services.

To celebrate, IKEA set up a playful “chip theft insurance kiosk” by the i360 at the weekend, handing out free portions to anyone who’s lost theirs to our chip-knicking Brighton Squawk mascot. The
🎮 Could Brighton Be the UK’s Gaming Capital?
Brighton-based Hangar 13, the studio behind the Mafia franchise (selling over 34 million copies since 1998!) is preparing to release Mafia: The Old Country — a prequel set in early 1900s Sicily.

The new, made-in-Brighton ‘Mafia: The Old Country’
Studio head Nick Baynes believes Brighton has “everything it needs” to become the Silicon Valley of gaming, citing creativity, facilities, and events like last month’s 5,000-attendee game-making conference.
Since launching in 2017 with four employees, the studio has grown to around 100 staff at its Sussex base. Industry body UK Interactive Entertainment says the South East is “pivotal” to the UK gaming sector, which contributes £7.6 billion to the economy despite recent layoffs.
Also in the news:
🌼 Wildflower Boost for Brighton – Five new wildflower verges have been planted across the city, bringing the total to 29. The council says these mini-meadows will help bees, butterflies, and orchids thrive, with five more planned for next summer.
→ Read more from Brighton & Hove News
🎬 Lights, Camera, Grace – ITV crime drama Grace is filming in Brighton city centre and Woodingdean this month, with residents warned to expect ‘masked-men’ and Sovereign House on Church Street transformed into the fictional “Saxonhurst Building Society.”
→ Read more from The Argus
🏫 School Intake Cut – Coldean Primary will admit 30 reception pupils this September instead of 60, due to falling numbers and budget pressures.
→ Read more from Brighton & Hove News
🚗 Albion’s New Car Park – Plans for a 43-space, three-storey car park at the Amex Stadium have been approved, replacing spaces lost to nearby student housing.
→ Read more from BBC News

💖 Dancing for a Better World
Bank Holiday Monday is looking bright, and a little sparkly, with HEY GIRL magazine’s Day Dream Festival at Dalton’s. Expect 7 live acts, 3 DJs, and a full day of feel-good vibes, all while raising funds for Choose Love and Women for Women International.
It’s your chance to come together, sweat glitter, and make a real difference — because all of the profits from your £25 ticket goes straight to the charities helping those displaced by conflicts, disasters and emergencies (Choose Love) as well as women living in conflict-affected areas.
🗓️ 2–11pm, Mon 25 Aug
📍 Dalton’s, Brighton
🎟️ Tickets

🏞️ Brunswick Festival is Back This Weekend!
A quick reminder that Brunswick Square will be buzzing as the much-loved festival fills the gardens with live music, bustling stalls, tasty street food, and hands-on fun for all ages. It’s our most clicked link ever so it’ll definitely be a busy couple of days with the weather looking perfect for it too!
🗓️ Sat 16–Sun 17 Aug
📍 Brunswick Square, Hove
❓ More Info

☕ Salvage Café: Brunch, Brews & Vintage Vibes
First dates over coffee are always a good start — and if you add brunch into the mix, you’re onto a winner. Salvage Café in Hove nails both, serving up great food in a space filled with vintage charm. Part café, part retro treasure trove, it’s packed with salvaged furniture, antiques, and quirky finds that give it a cosy, one-of-a-kind feel.

Just look at that ‘kim-cheese’ with their signature mushroom-miso butter 🤤
The menu covers locally roasted coffee, quirky teas like the Russian Caravan, homemade cakes, and generous yet beautiful brunch plates, with plenty of vegan and gluten-free choices.
The menu is always changing with the current Kim-Cheese (pictured) looking mouth-wateringly good, plus their Cypriot Florentine a must-try — fresh flavours tied together with a boldly garlicky tzatziki that might break up a bad date or seal a good one.
📍 84 Western Road, Hove
🕒 Mon–Thu 9–5, Fri–Sat 9–6, Sun 10–4
🗺️ View on Google

🌊 The Hamptons, Roedean Edition

Once a coastguard HQ, now a 7-bed, 6-bath New England-inspired dream in exclusive Roedean. With my favourite interior featured yet, it perfectly matches the crisp weatherboarding, with a glass atrium, sea-view terraces, cinema room, and a self-contained annexe. Lavender-scented gardens front and back, golf and the Downs on your doorstep - all wrapped in smart-home tech.
📍 Roedean Way, Roedean, BN2
💰 £3,400,000
🔗 View on Rightmove

Tuesday
🌠 Night of Shooting Stars at Devils Dyke
9 pm @ Devil’s Dyke Car Park
Join a magical evening of stargazing to watch the Perseid meteor shower—no equipment needed, just cozy layers, tea, and snacks. More Info
👶 Afternoon Baby and Toddler Play Group (0–3yrs) with Feeding Q&A
1 pm–3 pm @ Westdene Barn, Brighton
Relaxed storytelling and play backed by infant feeding support. (+ free hot drink!) More Info
💃 Lindy Hop Fundamentals + Swing Dance Social
7:30 pm-8:20 pm @ The Park View, Brighton
Swing dance class followed by a social after to close out the summer. More Info
🧠 UnBarred Taproom: Monthly Quiz Night
7:30 pm–10:00 pm @ UnBarred Brewery, Brighton
Friendly pub quiz with prizes and bar deals on tap. More Info
✨ Tango Dancing Lessons in Brighton
7:30 pm–9:00 pm @ The Loft (above Little Dippers), Brighton
Open-level Argentine tango class focusing on musicality and connection. Tickets
☄️ Asteroid Workshop for Kids age 6–12
11 am @ Dyke Road Park Cafe
Explore space art with a hands-on asteroid-themed craft session on the café terrace. More Info
🏕️ Holiday Camp at Rudyard Kipling
8:30 am–4:30pm Mon-Fri @ Woodingdean, Brighton
Kids’ holiday camp packed with sports, crafts, and fun activities. Tickets
Wednesday
🎭 Les Misérables – “Let the People Sing”
7:15 pm Wed-Sun (multiple shows) @ Theatre Royal Brighton
Concert staging of the world’s most beloved musical, bringing the soaring anthems and powerful storytelling of Les Misérables to life in an unforgettable evening. Tickets
🎨 Morning Art Class – Paint Nature in Watercolour
9 am–10:30 am @ Starbucks, Western Road, Hove
Learn light/dark and wet/dry techniques over coffee in this welcoming café-based session. Tickets
🐞 Summer Holiday Nature Discovery Sessions
2 pm–4 pm @ Plot 22 – Weald Allotments, Hove
Explore nature with bug hunts, crafts, and foraging for a shared veggie or vegan snack. More Info
🎀 Raising Money for MacMillan Breast Cancer Research
11 am–3 pm @ The Bevy Community Pub, Brighton
Fundraising day with all proceeds going to MacMillan Breast Cancer Research. More Info
🎲 Sal’s On The Game
9 pm–10:15 pm @ Charles Street Tap, Brighton
Interactive cabaret games with prizes, only £1 entry. More Info
💌 Speed Dating in Brighton for 45–65
7:30 pm–9:30 pm @ The Fitz Regent, Brighton
An evening of speed dating for singles aged 45–65. Tickets
😂 The Secret Comedy Club Wednesdays
7 pm–10:30 pm @ Artista Cafe And Gallery, Brighton
Six top UK comedy acts in three dynamic sections. Tickets
🎭 Cool-Aid Comedy
8 pm–10:30 pm @ Caroline of Brunswick, Brighton
Brighton’s friendliest new material comedy night. More Info
🎭 The End of the Pier Show
11 am–12 pm @ Horatio’s – Brighton Pier (Multiple shows & dates)
A toe-tapping family variety show bringing seaside history to life. Tickets
Thursday
🎤 Ola Labib: Dispersible (WIP)
8 pm @ Komedia, Brighton
Stand-up star unpacks her journey through childhood, career, and cultural life. Tickets
🎉 Family Friendly Thursdays
4 pm–6 pm @ The Bevy Community Pub, Brighton
Dress up, have fun and free food for all. Family-friendly fun with games and activities. More Info
💃 Singles Summer Disco
7 pm–11:30 pm @ Saltdean Lido, Brighton
Retro beats meet modern mingling at this lively singles disco night. Tickets
🗣️ Brighton Catalyst Club
8 pm @ The Nightingale Room, Brighton
A night of fascinating talks from eclectic guest speakers. Tickets
🎸 Dead Red Lips Presents
7 pm–12 am @ Daltons Brighton
Live metal bands on the beach including Rogue Awakening and Skullmaiden. Tickets
Friday
🍹 Mum to be Mocktails and Tacos
4:30 pm @ No. 124 GuestHouse, Brighton
An afternoon for expectant mums to relax, enjoy mocktails, tacos, and meet others. Tickets
❤️ 25–40 Singles Mixer with Love at First Sign
7 pm–10:30 pm @ Bohemia, Brighton
Unique singles event blending data-matching with real-time connection. Tickets
🪩 Disco w/ Wildblood and Queenie
5:30 pm–11 pm @ Bison Beach Bar, Brighton
High-energy disco session with classics, remixes, and seaside vibes. Tickets
🥋 Discover the Best Sport for Kids!
7 pm–8:30 pm @ Manor Road Scout Hut, Brighton
Free judo class for under 16s — first class free and fun for all levels. More Info
🎵 Live Music
🎤 Craig David: Short Acoustic Performance (Waitlist Only) | 6:30 pm | Resident Brighton | Tickets | Craig David performs 5 stripped-back tracks, including fan favourites and new material. Album bundle includes meet and greet.
🎶 Kid Creole & The Coconuts | 6 pm–10 pm | Chalk, Brighton | Tickets | Farewell UK tour from the legendary Kid Creole & The Coconuts with special guests.
🎻 Irish, Welsh and English Folk Night | 7:30 pm–11 pm | The Brunswick, Hove | Tickets | Folk tunes and tales celebrating music from across the British Isles.
🎸 Rolo Tomassi – 20th Anniversary Celebration | 6:30 pm | Chalk Brighton | Tickets | The mathcore/post-rock quintet celebrates two decades with support from Still In Love and Boneflower.
🎷 Jazz Night with Harry’s Tricks | 8 pm–10:30 pm | Ancient Mariner, Hove | Bookings | Mike Potter and a rotating trio bring 20s–40s jazz to life. Chill vibes, free entry.
🎸 Andres Roots (EST) | 7:30 pm | Caroline of Brunswick, Brighton | Tickets | Estonian blues guitarist blending delta blues with gypsy jazz and rock.
🎵 HouseWorx | 7 pm–3 am | The Tempest, Brighton | More Info | Underground house music party on the terrace into the early hours.

Which building, along with the Brighton Dome, was converted into a hospital for Indian soldiers during the First World War? In November 1914, under the direction of Lord Kitchener, Brighton was selected for a unique wartime mission — transforming two prominent sites into hospitals for soldiers arriving from the Western front. |