🐦 Damian Lewis Plays Intimate Acoustic Set, Master Art Forgers Live & £2bn Brighton Tech Buyout!

Hello Brighton & Hove!

I might actually be the most excited I’ve ever been in the history of the Brighton Squawk. You’ll see why the second you scroll down to our Community Corner today. Beyond that, we’ve got a ridiculously stacked week lined up from punk icon John Cooper Clarke bringing his sharpest satire to town and a 500-year deep dive into our lost fishing community, to immersive coastal photography paired with fresh oysters and wine.

Let's jump straight in.

Here Is What's Squawking This Week

💼 US tech giant snaps up major local employer in £2bn deal.
🏛️ High-stakes court battle launched over controversial town border takeover.
🚗 Fire engine blockage prompts urgent warnings over electric car chargers.
🎨 Local neighbourhoods handed £230k to revamp railings, parks, and streets.
🏗️ Controversial local eyesore cleared for modern block and shopfronts.

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🇺🇸 US tech firm acquires Domestic and General in £2bn deal

Global tech care giant Asurion has completed a £2 billion acquisition of appliance protection specialist Domestic and General. The firm employs around 300 staff at its New England Street offices in Brighton and is expected to continue operating under its established brand name.
→ read more on Brighton and Hove News

⚖️ East Sussex lodges judicial review over Peacehaven takeover

East Sussex County Council has launched formal court proceedings to block Brighton and Hove City Council from taking over Peacehaven, Telscombe Cliffs, and East Saltdean. The protective legal action comes after Housing Secretary Angela Rayner paused the local government reorganisation following sustained opposition from local residents and leaders.
→ read more on Brighton and Hove News

⚡ Council urged to consult residents on electric car charging locations

Independent councillor Peter Atkinson has called for early resident engagement when siting electric vehicle charging points following concerns in North Portslade. The plea follows an incident in which a fire engine was forced to reverse and reroute after a newly installed charger obstructed a narrow road.
→ read more on Brighton and Hove News

🎨 Developer funding secures £230k for local community projects

Five Brighton and Hove wards have been allocated nearly £230,000 from developer contributions under the new Better Brighton and Hove Fund. Projects chosen by local ward councillors include £29,000 to repaint the seafront railings in Saltdean, as well as funding for new trees, road signs, and park gym equipment.
→ read more on Brighton and Hove News

🏗️ Rebuilding scheme approved for "dog's dinner" Western Road site

Brighton and Hove City Council’s Planning Committee has granted permission to demolish 41-44 Western Road and replace it with a modern four-storey block. The new development will create 14 flats and two flexible shopfronts, addressing long-standing local anti-social behaviour concerns behind Clarence Square.
→ read more on Brighton and Hove News

🏖️ Cabinet to choose preferred operator for Black Rock's future

Brighton and Hove City Council’s cabinet will meet this week to decide on a five-year interim lease for the long-vacant Black Rock seafront site. The shortlist includes a padel and fitness sports facility with mental health programming, a public beach hub, and an outdoor events space.
→ read more on Brighton and Hove News

🏛️ Green MP Siân Berry expresses regret over party Zionism motion

Brighton Pavilion MP Siân Berry has spoken of her regret following a controversial motion passed at the Green Party conference defining Zionism as racism. Berry apologised to constituents for the worry caused and urged members not to leave the party while efforts are made to repair internal divisions.
→ read more on Brighton and Hove News

Also in the news:

🎓 Brighton University urged to stop union derecognition: Labour councillors have written to vice-chancellor Donna Whitehead protesting plans to terminate 20-year collective recognition agreements with UCU and Unison.
→ read more on Brighton and Hove News

🏢 Council issues demolition notices for eight tower blocks: Initial seven-year demolition notices will be served on high-rise blocks in Whitehawk, Hollingdean, and Kemp Town due to structural concerns.
→ read more on Brighton and Hove News

🚶 Residents object to St James's Street pedestrianisation proposal: A local resident has written to The Argus warning that pedestrianising St James's Street would displace vital bus routes and harm accessibility.
→ read more on The Argus

🥗 Council Leader highlights Sussex food procurement drive: Council Leader Bella Sankey has championed the Sussex Six campaign, encouraging local venues to source regional produce and support sustainable food initiatives.
→ read more on The Argus

🎧 Station audio guides launched for blind rail passengers: Sight loss charities and GTR have introduced descriptive audio guides for Brighton and Eastbourne stations to help visually impaired commuters navigate train layouts.
→ read more on BBC News

📱 Brighton headteacher praises smartphone ban impact: Varndean School headteacher Shelley Baker reports calmer and more engaged pupils following the nationwide restrictions on smartphones during the school day.
→ read more on BBC News

🐦 Meet Marley Dizney - Marley's Squawk

⏰ Every Friday, starting 16th October
📍 Right here, in your inbox

This is a slightly different Community Corner, a special edition if you like. Today it is not about a business, but about someone who has become a proper part of what makes our city tick. Meet Marley Dizney.

I came across their Instagram about a year ago and, being nosy, scrolled right back to where it all began. They never hid where they came from. The old posts are still up, so you can see the exact moment they stepped things up, from the type of content to how regularly they posted and the way they presented it. I loved them for that honesty. They are still young in this content game, but already have an incredibly loyal following, and it’s easy to see why.

These days, whenever their face pops up on my screen, my mood lifts, and I suddenly want to put on my shoes and go out and do something. That is exactly what the Brighton Squawk is about. It was never meant to be just a list of events. At its heart, it is about joy, and about inspiring you to get out there, chat to strangers, connect with friends and family, and discover the extraordinary things happening across our city, from big nights out to hidden corners you never knew existed.

So I asked them to do something slightly mad with me, and thank God they said yes. From this Friday, Marley's Squawk lands in every Friday issue as their mini diary and scrapbook. Expect to follow along with whatever they're up to, from the places they're heading to and the people they're bumping into, to the ones they reckon you simply have to meet too. It is a chance to borrow the eyes of someone with seriously good taste, a vibrant attitude and a gift for making everyone feel like they're in on the fun. Their take on Brighton and Hove will sit right alongside our usual weekly Squawk, so you get the best of the city through two sets of eyes instead of one. Think of this as the real insider scoop, with more insight than their Instagram and TikTok can fit in. Follow both the Squawk and their channels, because we will each be serving up different goodies and believe me, you won't want to miss any of it.

I am genuinely thrilled to have them on board as our guest editor. Go and follow them, then watch this space on Friday. 🥳

🔗 Follow Marley on TikTok
🔗 Follow Marley on Instagram

🇯🇵 oKo - Japanese street food

Japanese food sits comfortably in my top 3 personal favourite cuisines, so whenever I get a chance to grab some, I am all over it. Especially when it comes to Japanese street food, which is a whole different vibe from your standard sit-down restaurant. I haven't managed to catch this roaming pop-up outfit just yet, but I have heard non-stop brilliant things about what Jonathan, the founder and chef behind the operation, is cooking up.

He specialises in authentic Okonomiyaki, Japan’s famous savoury pancake packed with shredded cabbage, sizzling toppings, and drizzled with that iconic tangy sauce and Japanese mayo, all grilled right the way you like it. They are taking over a few cracking venues across town for their October Pop-Up Series, serving up proper authentic street food bites. I will 100% be heading to one of these dates to finally check it out for myself, so hopefully I'll see you there.

October Pop-Up Dates:

📅 Oct. 16 & 17 | 📍 The Brick Brighton
📅 Oct. 23 & 24 | 📍 The Hollow Moon Brighton
📅 Oct. 30 & 31 | 📍 Istanbul Katz Brighton

🔗 Follow their Instagram for updates

🏠 The Arundel Terrace Seafront Townhouse

Offering an extraordinary opportunity to acquire the freehold of a Grade I listed Regency seafront townhouse, this 6-bedroom residence blends opulent period styling with sensational views across the English Channel. Spanning four floors with internal lift access, the property features a 1st floor reception room with soaring ceilings, a classical sunroom, and a beachfront balcony. Currently arranged as an upper maisonette with a self-contained 1-bedroom ground-floor apartment, the layout culminates in a spectacular private roof terrace with 360-degree views from the coast to the South Downs.

📍 Arundel Terrace, Brighton, BN2
💰 Guide Price £2,000,000
🔗 View on Rightmove

Tue

🎭 Nigel Havers | 7:30pm, Tue @ Theatre Royal
A charming, witty journey through five decades of showbiz, filled with hilarious behind-the-scenes stories and theatrical anecdotes from an iconic acting career. More Info

🎧 Fatboy Slim | 6pm, Tue @ Quarters
A legendary DJ delivers a massive free set packed with iconic big beats and high-energy dance floor classics. More Info

🎭 Jack Rooke: Good Grief | 7:30pm, Tue & Wed @ The Old Market
An intimate retrospective blending early collaborative work with present-day musings to unpack grief, ambition, and navigating career success following family loss. More Info

🦹 Juliette Burton Presents Villain Era | 7:45pm, Tue @ Caroline of Brunswick
An award-winning comedian opens the doors to an ever-expanding creative universe featuring stand-up, interactive games, theatrical experiments, and eclectic obsessions. More Info

🎧 Let There Be Dykes: How the Dancefloors of Brighton Made a DJ Pioneer | 7pm, Tue @ Ironworks Studios-An inspiring conversation session tracing a legendary electronic music pioneer's journey from 90’s raves to transforming contemporary queer nightlife and club culture. More Info

💃 Natural Behaviour by Thick & Tight | 7:30pm, Tue @ Brighton Dome (Corn Exchange)-An award-winning dance theatre production blending theatrical portraits and vivid physical performance to explore vibrant concepts of human and non-human nature. More Info

🎸 Resident Lock In: with ELLiS-D | 6:30pm, Tue @ Resident Music
An intimate after-hours shop floor gig featuring ferocious drums, heavy riffs, and energetic live tunes, raising funds for a local mental health charity. More Info

📜 Maoism, Cultural Revolution and the 60s | 7pm, Tue @ The Southern Belle
An engaging art salon session exploring how global radical movements of the sixties adapted, transformed, and reinterpreted Chinese revolutionary philosophy across art, culture, and counterculture. More Info

Wed

🐍 Alice Cooper: Devil on My Shoulder Book Tour | 7:30pm, Wed @ Brighton Dome (Concert Hall)-A legendary shock-rock pioneer takes the stage to share wild stories from six decades in music and launch a long-awaited autobiography. More Info

✂️ Craft Night & Live Music | A Hangout Brighton Fundraiser! | 6:30pm, Wed @ Puzzle Bored-A vibrant community social packed with hands-on maker workshops, live music performances, drop-in origami, and local drinks supporting a new creative hub. More Info

⚓ £2 Talk: Vanished Voices - The Story of the Lost Fishing Community of Brighton | 7:30pm, Wed @ Exeter Street Hall-Local historian Brian Ogilvie reveals the fascinating 500-year rise and ultimate disappearance of the legendary coastal fishing industry that built the town. More Info

👑 Anne Boleyn and France | 6pm, Wed @ Brighthelm Centre
An insightful illustrated talk delivered entirely in French by an expert historian, exploring the influential early years spent at the royal court. More Info

🎙️ Budpod Live | 8pm, Wed @ Komedia
A hilarious live recording of the hit comedy podcast, featuring signature riffs, interactive audience participation, and chaotic onstage games. More Info

🎤 Dr John Cooper Clarke | 7:45pm, Wed @ Theatre Royal
The legendary punk poet and spiritual godfather of modern spoken word brings his insatiable laconic wit, sharp satire, and iconic verse to the stage. More Info

Thur

🔪 Murderous Minds with Emma Kenny | 7:30pm, Thu @ Theatre Royal
Explore the terrifying psychological profiles of notorious serial killers alongside a renowned criminologist who unpacks what truly drives humanity's most twisted figures. More Info

🎤 Dan Nightingale & Friends | 7:30pm, Thu @ The Forge Comedy Club
The popular podcast host delivers fresh stand-up and interactive crowd work before presenting two top professional comedy sets for a brilliant night out. More Info

🦪 LULL x She Shucks - Photography wine & oysters | 6pm, Thu @ Unit 6
A multi-sensory coastal photography exhibition pairing immersive audiovisual art with curated wines and fresh oysters for a unique evening. More Info

📚 The Coast is Queer LGBTQ+ Literary Festival | Thu-Sun @ Attenborough Centre for Creative Arts-The UK's biggest LGBTQ+ literature festival returns for a weekend of lively panel discussions, poetry, and workshops celebrating queer writers, performers, and activists. More Info

🎬 Brighton & Hove Doc Club: 'Black is Beautiful' | 6pm, Thu @ POST
Part of Photoworks Festival 2026, this feature documentary explores the life of Harlem activist-photographer Kwame Brathwaite, followed by a live Q&A with director Yemi Bamiro. More Info

Fri

🎙️ Celya AB: We Must Stop Meeting Like This | 7pm, Fri @ Brighton Dome (Studio Theatre)-Critically acclaimed comedian Celya AB brings her stand-up show about overthinking life choices and overcoming shame to Brighton following sold-out runs. More Info

📰 Cover Story × Crossbar: The Magazine Takeover | 5pm, Fri @ Crossbar
A celebration of independent print showcasing a curated selection of publications exploring sports, culture, photography, fashion, and the creative voices changing the conversation. More Info

🎤 Tom Davis: Spudgun | 7:30pm, Fri @ Brighton Dome (Concert Hall)
A massive new stand-up tour exploring life as a perennial longshot, packed with hilarious personal anecdotes about how a beloved television comic navigates unexpected success. More Info

🎤 Alfie Brown: the Entertainer | 7pm, Fri @ Komedia (Studio)
An existential crisis meets sharp stand-up comedy in a show grappling with tech, modern meaning, and the true purpose of laughter. More Info

🎙️ Catherine Bohart | 8:30pm, Fri @ Brighton Dome (Corn Exchange)
A brutally honest stand-up show taking a sharp look at sex, sexuality, and relationships from a critically acclaimed television and podcast regular. More Info

🖼️ Ukraine: Life Un/Broken | 6pm, Fri @ POST
Part of Photoworks Festival ‘26, an evening of documentary film, powerful photography, and live artist talks exploring the human cost of war, raising funds for Ukrainian charities. More Info

🎸 Damian Lewis | 7pm, Fri @ Quarters
An intimate live acoustic performance featuring soulful roots music and personal songs born from early days busking across Europe. More Info

🎹 Flo & Joan | 7:30pm, Fri @ Theatre Royal
Multi-award-winning sisters bring their wildly clever, dark, and harmony-packed satirical songs to the stage for a night of brilliant musical comedy. More Info

🎙️ Freak of Nature Comedy | 8pm, Fri @ The Caxton Arms
Six established South Coast comedians take the stage to perform their sharpest material for a wildly entertaining and totally free night of laughs. More Info

🎨 The Forger’s Game | 6pm, Fri @ Helm Gallery
A provocative one-night exhibition showcasing hand-painted recreations of masterpieces alongside a fascinating live discussion between a notorious master art duplicator and a crime novelist. More Info

🎷 Jazz Emu | 6pm, Fri @ Brighton Dome (Corn Exchange)
The viral online comedy character and musical sensation delivers a slick, high-energy live performance blending absurd humour with impeccably smooth tunes. More Info

Last week's phone box gallery trivia was a solid victory for most of you! A clear 55.56% of voters correctly identified The Dog and Bone Gallery, while 44.44% split their votes across the other names. You can check out current exhibitions and gallery news on Ellie & Co's Dog and Bone Gallery Feature.

This week, we are looking at the Angel of Peace (commonly known as the Peace Statue), standing right on the seafront boundary between Brighton and Hove. Unveiled in 1912 as a memorial to King Edward VII, this impressive winged figure holds an orb and an olive branch while standing atop a prominent sandstone pedestal.