Good morning Brighton,

We’re heading into a packed week with plenty to keep you busy. Our Date Spot of the Week takes you to Bom-Bane’s Café, where dinner comes with a quirky twist, while Eric Idle brings his new show to the Brighton Centre, Pendulum light up Chalk, and Saltdean Lido rolls out an end-of-summer lineup from neon 80s nights to… Dogtember.

Here’s what’s squawking this week:

🥘 The man who brought curry and shampoo to Britain
🍴 A wonderfully weird date night at Bom-Bane’s
🐢 A rescued turtle’s big return to the sea
🎶 Comedy, family fun and another big week of live music

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Fans flock to Brighton for Women’s Rugby World Cup

Brighton went rugby mad this weekend as England faced Australia in the Women’s Rugby World Cup, with fans describing the chance to see the Red Roses on home soil as “once in a lifetime.” Supporters travelled from across the country to soak up the atmosphere, waving flags and proudly wearing their team colours.

On Saturday, England didn’t disappoint. They dominated Australia at the Amex Stadium, storming to a 47-7 victory that confirmed their place as favourites in the tournament. Many fans said the surge of support this year shows how far the women’s game has come, with younger players particularly excited to see their heroes on the pitch.

One Australian fan, who plays rugby back home, praised the rise of women’s rugby in England, saying the game has truly been “brought to the world stage.” Brighton locals also celebrated the chance to host such a major international fixture, adding to the city’s growing sporting reputation.

→ Read the full story on BBC News

Man who brought curry and shampoo to UK honoured

The gravestone of Sake Deen Mahomed, an Anglo-Indian pioneer who introduced both curry and shampoo to the UK, has been restored in Brighton. Mahomed, who lived in the city for four decades until his death in 1851, had been largely forgotten as his grave at St Nicholas’ Churchyard fell into disrepair.

Thanks to the Regency Society of Brighton and Hove, the site has now been cleaned, repaired and preserved to reflect his remarkable contributions. Mahomed not only opened Britain’s first Indian restaurant in London but also popularised therapeutic massage and steam baths at his Pool Valley bathhouse.

Celebrated in his lifetime as the “shampooing surgeon” to King George IV, Mahomed’s story is a reminder of Brighton’s rich and diverse heritage. Local historians say the restoration ensures his legacy will live on for future generations.

→ Read the full story on BBC News

Rescued turtle set for ‘emotional’ return to wild

Barnacle Bill, a loggerhead sea turtle found stranded in Guernsey after a storm in 2023, is finally heading back to the ocean. After initial care on the island, she was transferred to Sea Life Brighton last year, where staff spent months preparing her for release.

The aquarium created waves, rainfall and even hidden food to help her regain her natural instincts while limiting human contact. Once weighing less than a kilogram, Barnacle Bill now tips the scales at over 13kg and is strong enough for release near the Azores.

Conservationists say the release will be an emotional milestone, as loggerhead turtles remain vulnerable due to climate change, fishing nets and pollution. Brighton’s Sea Life team hope her journey highlights the importance of marine conservation, and reminds beachgoers never to return stranded turtles straight to the sea.

→ Read the full story on BBC News

Also in the news:

📍 New venue near station seeks drinks licence - A proposed deli, restaurant and wine bar on Surrey Street has applied for a drinks licence, sparking mixed views from residents and councillors worried about alcohol saturation in the area.
→ read more on Brighton & Hove News

🎠 New adventure playground dedicated to Babes in the Wood - Families of Karen Hadaway and Nicola Fellows joined the mayor for the opening of a £500,000 adventure playground in Wild Park, built as a lasting tribute to the two girls murdered in 1986.
→ read more on Brighton & Hove News

🏘️ New council housing officers launched - Brighton & Hove City Council has created a new team of eight neighbourhood officers to support tenants, enforce safety standards, and roll out emergency evacuation plans in 47 high-rise blocks.
→ read more from the Council

🏥 Homes at hospital site move up the agenda - Plans to revive the Brighton General Hospital site with up to 500 homes and a new health hub are back on the table, with council and NHS chiefs agreeing to work in partnership.
→ read more on Brighton & Hove News

🏊 Saltdean Lido

On Brighton’s eastern edge at Saltdean Park Road sits one of Britain’s finest Art Deco landmarks. Built in 1937/1938 by architect R.W.H. Jones, Saltdean Lido was designed to look like an ocean liner, with sweeping curves, sun decks and a crescent pool for 500 bathers. It became an icon of seaside leisure, and remains the only lido ever featured in London’s Design Museum.

The Lido’s journey hasn’t always been smooth. Closed during the war, revived in the 1960s and threatened with redevelopment in the 1990s, it was finally saved by local residents who fought to protect it. Their campaign led to Grade II listing and a major restoration, with the pool reopening in 2017.

Now managed by the Saltdean Lido Community Interest Company, it’s more than just a swimming pool. The venue hosts everything from discos and live music to regular workshops and activities, including a youth club on Fridays at 6pm and a women’s singing group, Harmony Haven, on Wednesdays at 11am. 

Upcoming Events at Saltdean Lido:

🎶 Tropicana Nights - End of Summer Party | Sat 13 Sept, 7:30pm - Midnight | An over-25s neon-soaked 80s night with wall-to-wall throwback hits. | Tickets

🎧 Silent Disco - 90s Flashback | Fri 19 Sept, 8 - 10:30pm | Three DJs, three channels, one glowing poolside disco under the stars. | Tickets

🎷 Funk & Soul by the Sea | Sat 27 Sept, 3 - 8pm | An afternoon of pure groove on the lawns with DJ 45 Adaptor and special guests. | Tickets

🕺 The Lido Afternoon Tea Dance with Will Bayley | Thu 2 Oct, 2 - 4:30pm | Ballroom & Latin dancing, tea & cake, plus a special talk from Strictly star Will Bayley MBE. | Tickets

🐾 Dogtember 2025 | Weekends from 13 Sept | The UK’s biggest dog swim returns, 40 heated-pool sessions across four weekends, all raising funds for the Lido Trust. | Tickets

🎶 Bom-Bane’s

Forget the standard dinner-and-drinks routine, Bom-Bane’s is Brighton’s most delightfully eccentric date spot. Tucked away on George Street in Kemptown, this licensed café-restaurant serves homely Belgian-inspired food, but with a twist: your table might chime, spin, or even sing back at you. Yes, really.

Run by musicians Jane Bom-Bane and Eliza Skelton, the café has built a cult following for its blend of hearty meals, live music, puppetry, film nights and surprise performances between courses. The Bom-Banquet (£25pp) is the house favourite with a generous spread of veggie, vegan and meaty dishes finished with hot wafflettes, but you can also keep it simple with Stoemp & Sausages for £15pp (dessert included).

The vibe is warm, quirky and totally unique, part living room, part stage set, and it’s won everything from Brighton Fringe awards to the Edinburgh Festival Spirit of the Fringe. In short, if you want a date that’s cosy, conversation-sparking and unlike anything else in the city, Bom-Bane’s is a must.

📍 24 George Street
🕒 Open Fri & Sat, 5 - 11pm
 💷 £15–25 per person
 📲 Book via 07764 515583, [email protected], or visit the website

Special Events this month:

🎵 Mark Allen & Glen Richardson | Thu 25 Sept, 8pm (£10) | Original songs and musicianship from two Brighton favourites. Optional two-course meal at 6:45pm (£15).

🎤 Eliza Skelton & The Family | Sat 27 Sept, 8pm (£10) | Eliza performs songs from her new album The Lookerer alongside her family. Optional pre-booked dinner at 6:45pm (£15).

🌅 Sussex Views

A Sussex stunner with all the views: sea to the south and the Downs to the north, this six-bed, five-bath detached blends 1930s charm with modern luxury. At over 5,000 sq ft, it’s made for big families (or big parties) with landscaped gardens, a sleek kitchen-diner and a south-facing terrace perfect for sundowners.

📍 Roedean Crescent, Brighton
💰 £3,250,000
🔗 View on Rightmove

Tuesday

👶 Bring Your Own Baby Comedy
12pm @ Komedia Brighton
Daytime comedy party with top UK acts, buggy parking, soft flooring and snacks. Adults only (16+) with babies under 15 months. More Info

🎭 Lou Sanders: No Kissing in the Bingo Hall (Warm-Up Show)
8pm @ Komedia Brighton
Taskmaster champ Lou Sanders previews her latest tour filming special with a daft, deep and very funny set. Tickets

🎨 Ian Parker: Things Unmade, Remembered, Forgotten
Until Oct 6 @ Phoenix Art Space
Exhibition of small paintings exploring material, memory and the language of painting. Free Entry

🎨 Degrade: Audio Arts Installation by Adrien Châtelain
10th-13th Sep 12pm - 7pm @ Lighthouse Project Space
Immersive sound installation using degrading tape loops to explore climate catastrophe. Tickets

Wednesday

💃 Lee Miller’s Line Dancing
7:30pm @ Legends Brighton
Step into upbeat line dancing fun, from country classics to chart-toppers, no partner needed. Book Tickets

🎤 Cool-Aid Comedy
8pm - 10:30pm @ Caroline of Brunswick
Brighton’s longest-running new material night featuring pros, rising stars and fresh faces every week. Tickets

📸 Polaroid Play Workshop
10:30am - 12:30pm @ Puzzle Bored
Get creative with instant photography in this fun, hands-on workshop. More Info

🧶 Drop-in Knitting Group
5:30pm - 8pm @ Puzzle Bored
A relaxed evening for knitters of all levels to meet, chat and create. More Info

😂 Boast in Show: Ultimate Champion
8pm @ Komedia Brighton
Six past champions return to battle with compliments in this hilarious comedy showdown. Tickets

Thursday

🎤 Olga Koch: Comes From Money
7:30pm @ Komedia Brighton
Mock The Week and Live at the Apollo star Olga Koch brings her sharp new show. Tickets

🎨 Made By Jewellers – Opening Night
6pm - 8pm @ Jewellers Academy Brighton
Celebrate the launch of a new jewellery gallery with drinks, demos and £100 prize draw. More Info

🎨 Painting Party
7pm @ The Longshore, Shoreham
Relaxed evening of painting with all materials provided, take home your own canvas. Tickets

💘 Brighton Speed Dating (Ages 35–55)
7pm - 9:30pm @ Metropole Bar
Meet face-to-face, sip, flirt and laugh your way through this lively singles event. Tickets

🎨 Creative Club - Paint a Pot
7pm - 9pm @ Puzzle Bored
Decorate your own pottery in a relaxed evening session. More Info

Friday

🎭 Pink To Crimson
7:30pm - 9pm @ Cornerstone Community Centre, Hove
Two radio play-style productions: a gripping murder mystery and a sparkling comedy. More Details

🎶 Room Service: SideQuest Fest (Fundraiser)
3pm - 7pm @ The Folklore Rooms
An all-dayer fundraiser for the Music Venue Trust with funk, disco, rap and psychedelic jams. Tickets

🎤 Eric Idle: Always Look on the Bright Side of Life, Live!
8pm @ Brighton Centre
Monty Python legend brings comedy, music, philosophy and a little bit of cheek. Tickets

🎶 Black Octopus 7th Birthday Part 1
9pm - 2am @ Alphabet Brighton
Brighton duo celebrate with an all-night-long birthday set. Tickets

🎶 Usual Nonsense
8:30pm - 2am @ Brighton Electric
Toe-tickling house, garage shreds and saucy techno whip up a Friday night storm. Tickets

💘 40+ Singles Mixer: Love at First Sign
7pm - 10:30pm @ Bohemia Brighton
A unique singles night blending cosmic data and real-time connection in a stylish setting. Tickets

🎶 King L – Roof Terrace Party!
8pm - 2am @ The Mesmerist
Dance all night with His Royal Flyness returning for another epic terrace party. Tickets

📚 Story Magic
10am & 11am @ Komedia
Award-winning children’s theatre company brings stories to life with songs, rhymes, puppets and games. More Info

Live Music

Death Pill + Blood Hex + Primal Damnation | Daltons Tue 7:30pm | Details
Food House | Green Door Store Tue 7:30pm | Tickets
Pendulum | Chalk Tue 7pm | Tickets

Suede: Meet & Greet + Signing | Resident Wed 6pm | Tickets
Blondshell | Chalk Wed 7:30pm | Tickets
Ruckus | Green Door Store Wed 7pm | Tickets
Flyte | Concorde 2 Wed 7pm | Tickets
Japanese Television + Radio Anorak + MAGDA + more | Hope & Ruin Wed 7:30pm | Tickets

Girls of the Internet LIVE + James Alexander Bright | Dust Thu 7pm | Tickets
Rubie, Smoking Room, Dog Head Valley, J.Josephine – Fundraiser for Gender Affirming Care | Folklore Rooms Thu 7:30pm | Tickets
Genitorturers | Chalk Thu 7:30pm | Tickets

MPH | Patterns Fri 11pm | Tickets
Love is the Message with Hannah Sherlock & Tim Walker | Fortune of War Fri 7pm | Tickets
Omega Tribe | The Pipeline Fri 7:30pm | Tickets
Black Octopus | Alphabet Fri 9pm | Tickets
The Kopycat Killers | Chalk Fri 7pm | Tickets
The Emo Festival is Coming to Brighton! | Concorde 2 Fri 7pm | Tickets

Last week we asked: Which of these Brighton venues did Charlie Chaplin NOT perform at? The correct answer was The Theatre Royal, with Chaplin performing at both the Hippodrome and Palace Pier. Before his death in 1977 he was a frequent visitor to Brighton and even stayed in his own suite of rooms at the Royal Crescent Hotel.