Hello Brightonians!

This week we’ve got an armed police callout on Lewes Road, two new council housing plans, and in our features a new spot on the seafront and the huge 60th-anniversary lineup for the Brighton Festival. Plus, there’s a £20m boost for Whitehawk and a chance to get your festival donations doubled to help support the events in May.

Here’s what’s squawking this week:  

🏠 180 empty council homes to house families
🥙 Artisanal pitas arrive on Kings Road
✨ Whitehawk’s £20m "Pride in Place" revival
🎭 Brighton Festival’s 60th-anniversary highlights

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🏠 Empty council homes to provide temporary housing for families

Brighton and Hove City Council is proposing to use up to 180 empty council homes as temporary accommodation to tackle a £6m overspend and spiralling nightly bed and breakfast rates. The plan aims to provide more stable housing for the 2,100 households currently in emergency accommodation, 40% of which include children, though the council admits this will delay placements for those on the social housing register.

→ Read more on BBC News

🛌 Brighton could trial new licensing scheme for Airbnbs

Councillors are lobbying the government to make Brighton and Hove a test site for a new mandatory licensing platform for short-term holiday lets. The initiative aims to improve health and safety standards and address the "housing drain" caused by an estimated 2,000 to 6,000 local properties being switched from long-term rentals to visitor accommodation.

→ Read more on Brighton & Hove News

🚨 Armed police stand down after Lewes Road incident

A section of Lewes Road near Elm Grove was closed for several hours on Monday morning following reports of a man in possession of a potential weapon. Armed officers searched a private address but found no suspects or weapons, and the road was reopened after the incident was stood down as a precaution.

→ Read more on Brighton & Hove News

✨ Whitehawk set for £20m ‘Pride in Place’ regeneration boost

Senior councillors are expected to formally approve a 10-year, £20 million deal this week to revive Whitehawk and surrounding estates, including the Bristol and Pankhurst areas. The community-led project will be overseen by a neighbourhood board of residents, with the search for an independent chair currently entering its final days.

→ Read more on Brighton & Hove News

🏟️ Funding and design fears raised over £65m King Alfred plans

Campaigners have warned that the proposed redevelopment of the King Alfred Leisure Centre could become an "i360-style" financial burden for Hove taxpayers. While the council downplayed fears of a debt crisis, critics at a recent community meeting described the new design as a "shoebox" and called for a heritage-led retrofit of the original 1939 building instead.

→ Read more on BBC News

Also in the news:

🇮🇹 Italian Festival Fringe Returns for May: Brighton will celebrate Italian culture throughout May with a programme featuring opera, a "Spaghetti Disco," and a culinary tour of the city. → read more on The Argus

♻️ Hollingdean Recycling Centre Faces £2.3m Upgrade: Cabinet is set to approve a major overhaul for the 20-year-old facility to better process a wider range of plastic polymers using new optical sorters. → read more on Brighton & Hove News

🏊 Hundreds of Women Join IWD Sea Swim: About 500 women braved the waves at Sea Lanes on Saturday for the annual "Big Swim," raising money for Surfers Against Sewage while highlighting the ocean pollution crisis. → read more on BBC News

💰 New Crisis Fund to Replace Hardship Support: The council is launching its "Crisis and Resilience Fund" in April to replace the DWP's Household Support Fund with targeted help for essentials and rent. → read more on The Argus

🪧 Crackdown on Roadside Shrines and Memorials: A new policy proposal suggests limiting floral tributes to 14 days and banning permanent items like tables and vases at spontaneous memorial sites on council land. → read more on Brighton & Hove New

🍔 MEATliquor Stops Serving Food Until Further Notice: The popular York Place burger bar has suddenly suspended all kitchen operations and reduced its opening hours, leaving the "Dead Hippie" burger off the menu. → read more on The Argus

🍸 Hove Distillery Tours Face Neighbour Noise Complaints: Madame Jennifer Distillery is seeking to extend its opening hours into the evening, but some residents in the Poets Corner area have formally objected to the move. → read more on Brighton & Hove News

🎭 Cult Comedy "Police Cops" Returns for Fringe: The award-winning physical comedy trio is bringing their 80s-themed action-movie parody back to Brighton this May to celebrate their 10th anniversary. → read more on The Argus

🩰 Haus of Cabaret Eviction Turns Ugly: The Kemptown venue remains closed and the freehold is for sale following a bitter legal battle and allegations of illegal entry between the landlord and former operator Alex Proud. → read more on Brighton & Hove News

🎉 Brighton Festival 2026 (60th Anniversary)

Brighton’s crowning cultural jewel hits the big 60 this year, and they aren't doing things by halves. From the 40th Children’s Parade to world-first circus premieres, the city is about to be transformed into a 25-day playground of high art and everything that makes the city one of the biggest centres of art and creativity in the country. Since the full lineup is finally out in the wild, we’ve pulled together your essential shortlist for the 2026 season. 

To keep the party accessible, the Festival just landed a £20,000 match-funding award from The Big Give. Donations made by the public between March 17-24 will be doubled to reach a £40,000 target for the free events programme. If you feel like chipping in, your contribution effectively counts for twice as much until next Tuesday.

❤️ Get Your Donation Doubled

Here’s just some of the great events happening in May:

🥁 The Children’s Parade: Kicking things off on Sat, May 2. This year’s theme is Read All About It for the National Year of Reading. Expect 5,000+ kids and massive floats to take over the city streets. 

🏠 Our Place (10th Anniversary): This grassroots project is celebrating a decade of bringing the Festival to local doorsteps. Look out for artist LEO’s land art trail in East Brighton and giant puppetry workshops in Moulsecoomb led by Darren East. There are also free family days at the Dome on May 3 and 4. 

🎸 Patti Smith Quartet: The godmother of punk returns to the Concert Hall for a night of noise followed by an intimate evening of words and music.

🎪 NoFit State Circus - carnation: A world premiere at Black Rock. High-octane circus meets cinematic rebellion under a big top. 

🌊 Soft Machines: A world premiere on Hove Prom. Artist Ivan Morison has teamed up with local charity Making It Out to create monumental sculptures exploring our connection to the land.

🏓 Record Breaking Table Tennis: Close out the festival on Mon, May 25 at the Corn Exchange. They’re attempting Guinness World Records, backed by young DJs.

📅 Fri 1 May - Mon 25 May
💰 25+ free events / Many tickets £15 or less
📍 Various locations across Brighton & Hove
🎟️ Full Programme

🥙 Posh Pita

With spring finally here and the sun forecast to shine for most of the week (🤞), it’s officially the season for seafront dates and a pita by the pier. If you’re looking for a casual bite that’s a step up from your average beach snack, get yourself over to Posh Pita, a brand new spot that opened just this weekend. Situated right by the seafront, they’ve taken the humble Mediterranean pita and given it a seriously sophisticated glow-up. It’s a stone-baked, artisanal approach to street food that proves you can have something healthy and locally sourced without sacrificing on flavour.

The menu is built around a simple five-step process that lets you customise your lunch exactly how you like it through their digital ordering stations (like those in Mcdonalds). You start by picking a base, either a fresh stone-baked pita, a rice bowl, or a chip bowl, then select a protein from options like Citrus Chicken, Chipotle Steak, or Spinach & Paneer Falafel. After adding a spread like classic hummus or garlic butter, you get to load up on five different "Greens & Crunch" fillings. You’re spoilt for choice with everything from rainbow slaw and Tabbouleh to Greek feta and pickled red onion, all finished off with two signature drizzles like Korean Gochujang Fire or Chilli & Mint Yogurt.

Everything they serve is halal, and with two different options for vegetarian protein, it’s a high-quality, inclusive spot where everyone can eat with confidence. If you’ve still got room after your main, they have some indulgent desserts, including Nutella-drizzled doughnut holes and a selection of ice cream sandwiches. It’s the ideal setup for a sunny daytime date; grab your pita and some masala fries, then take it down to the pebbles to enjoy the view.

📍 56 Kings Road
🕣 12-11pm (Mon-Sun)
🔗 Menu & More

🕊️ A View from the Dovecote

This 4,000 sq ft barn conversion is tucked away in the tiny hamlet of Edburton, sitting right at the foot of the Downs a short trip from Devil’s Dyke. The showstopper is the original dovecote tower, which has been cleverly reimagined into a guest wet room, sitting alongside a massive double-height drawing room and a mezzanine snug that’s basically built for Sunday reading.

📍 Edburton Road, Edburton
💰 £2,250,000
🔗 View on Rightmove

Tue

🪐 Professor Brian Cox: Emergence Preview
7:30pm, Tue @ Theatre Royal
The world-renowned physicist takes audiences on a mind-bending journey through space and time in this special preview of his latest show. More Info

🎤 Nine Sixteenths
8pm, Tue @ The Old Market
A fast, fun multimedia examination of iconic black female role models inspired by the rise and fall of Janet Jackson. More Info

🏳️‍🌈 Queer Film Trail Shoreham
7pm, Tue @ St. Mary de Haura Church
Follow a guided walking route through Shoreham to discover short films by LGBTQIA+ artists projected onto buildings and public spaces. More Info

🎨 Body of Play
12pm - 5pm, Tue @ Mid Street Lab
Brighton artist Helena Bryant Taylor presents a research residency exploring identity and motherhood through puppetry and wearable extensions. More Info

🇮🇪 Irish Comedy Night - St Paddy’s Special
8pm, Tue @ Komedia
A hilarious lineup featuring Eleanor Tiernan, Gearóid Farrelly, Alison Spittle, and Keith Farnan to celebrate the big day. More Info

Wed

🎞️ Screen with No Borders: Sudan, Remember Us
7pm, Wed @ Ropetackle Arts Centre
A nourishing evening of Sudanese food and film bearing witness to the power of creativity as a tool for resistance in the fight for freedom. More Info

🩰 Ballet Nights
7:30pm, Wed @ Theatre Royal
A world-class variety show featuring international dance stars, groundbreaking new creations, and sensational live music. More Info

🕵️ Solve-Along-A-Murder-She-Wrote
8pm, Wed @ Komedia
An interactive night featuring games, quizzes, and singalongs as the audience helps Jessica Fletcher solve a classic crime. More Info

🃏 Andrew Frost: The Greatest Card Magician In The World
8pm, Wed @ Komedia
One of the world's top magicians delivers an innovative blend of comedy, theatre, and mind-blowing contemporary magic. More Info

Thu

📦 Scott Bennett: Stuff
7:30pm, Thu @ Brighton Dome
Scott Bennett attempts to balance our modern love for physical possessions with the soul-nourishing connections of a simpler life. More Info

🌈 Desiree Burch: The Golden Wrath
8pm, Thu @ The Forge Comedy Club
The Taskmaster treasure presents a new hour exploring death, menopause, and spirituality through a hilariously destructive lens. More Info

🎱 Battle Of The Bingo
8pm, Thu @ Komedia
A high-energy mashup of Musical Bingo and Dabbers Social Bingo featuring music-led rounds, prizes, and buzzing hosts. More Info

🎤 The Branding Needs Work
7:30pm, Thu @ The Caxton Arms
A mix of experienced and new comedians trying out new material in one of the city's most supportive comedy nights. More Info

Fri

🌟 Lighthouse: MYRIAD
6pm, Fri @ The Old Market
A special showcase of live performances, short films, and games from the city's brightest emerging artists in the Lighthouse Young Creatives cohort. More Info

🦆 Gozzle at WWT Arundel
10am - 4pm, Fri @ WWT Arundel
Join Gozzle the gosling for an outdoor adventure trail and interactive storytelling based on the book by Julia Donaldson. More Info

🦒 The Giraffe Who Wouldn’t Bath
11:30am and 1:30pm, Fri @ Ropetackle Arts Centre
Interactive storytelling for babies and toddlers following Gerald the baby giraffe on a hilarious "sticky-icky" journey. More Info

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

👯 Epicene
8pm, Fri @ Artista
Paul Diello presents a gender-blending celebration of iconic women in music following three years of sold-out performances. More Info

🥁 Carnival Collective: Live Album Recording
7pm, Fri @ Chalk
Join Brighton’s drum’n’bass orchestra as they perform a high-energy set for their official live album recording. More Info

🎨 Helm Gallery: Take The Streets6pm, Fri @ Helm Gallery
A weekly Friday night takeover fusing art, music, tattoos, and cocktails in one of the city’s most electric creative spaces. More Info

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

Live Music

Jehnny Beth | Patterns | 7pm, Tue | Tickets
Hail The Sun | Green Door Store | 7:30pm, Tue | Tickets
TUNGZ + Supports | The Prince Albert | 7pm, Tue | Tickets

Ebbb | The Hope & Ruin | 7:30pm, Tue | Tickets
The Snuts | Chalk | 6pm, Wed | Tickets
Sam Lewis | The Folklore Rooms | 8pm, Wed | Tickets
A Gathering of Witches | The Brunswick | 7:15pm, Wed | Tickets

Del Water Gap | Concorde 2 | 7:30pm, Thu | Tickets
Gong & Henge | Chalk | 6:30pm, Thu | Tickets
Ora Cogan | The Hope & Ruin | 8pm, Thu | Tickets

AS Fanning | The Prince Albert | 8pm, Thu | Tickets
Beans On Toast | Concorde 2 | 7pm, Fri | Tickets
Carnival Collective | Chalk | 7pm, Fri | Tickets
Green Gardens | The Hope & Ruin | 8pm, Fri | Tickets
ladylike | Green Door Store | 7pm, Fri | Tickets
Paige Tomlinson | Patterns | 11pm, Fri | Tickets

Last week’s trivia looked at some of our most iconic buildings, with one exception that didn’t match the Art Deco styling of the other three, was the red-brick and terracotta Metropole Hotel.

With this week’s feature on the 60th anniversary of the Brighton Festival, we’re asking who performed at the inaugural festival of 1967.

Clue: He was the founding director of Britain's National Theatre and starred in the original adaptation of Wuthering Heights (1939) and later in Marathon Man (1976)