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Hello Brighton!

This week, we’re checking out a Film Festival set to take over our biggest venues and heading to the North Laine for a burger-and-oyster combo that’s better than it sounds. In the news, indie legends are set to return for On The Beach, the city’s grimy gateway gets a huge three-year cleaning prokect, and eight ageing tower blocks face the wrecking ball.

Here’s what’s squawking this week: 

🕍 Disused Hove synagogue set for demolition
🏗️ Hundreds of residents of 8 tower blocks set for rehousing
🍔 Smash burgers & pints in North Laine for your next date
🍿 Oska Bright Film Festival takes over the city

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🏗️ Council greenlights five-year plan to replace ageing tower blocks

Brighton and Hove City Council has formally approved the demolition of eight high-rise blocks, including St James’ House and Nettleton Court. Built with 1960s large panel systems, the buildings fall short of modern safety standards set after the Grenfell tragedy. Hundreds of residents will be rehoused over the next five years, with the council offering right-to-return options and £40,000 grants to help leaseholders buy new homes.

→ Read more on Brighton & Hove News

🕍 Disused synagogue targeted by neo-Nazi to be replaced by houses

The Hove Hebrew Congregation Synagogue on Holland Road, which was identified as a target for a foiled terror plot in 2023, is set for demolition. Developer Kitmarr Limited have submitted plans to build seven three-bedroom houses on the site, arguing the 1883 building is too costly to maintain and lacks modern security. The congregation has already moved to a new community hub on New Church Road.

→ Read more on Brighton & Hove News

🏡 Former student HMOs returned to local families in Bevendean

The council has bought back four properties in Bevendean from private landlords to convert them from student digs into four-bedroom family homes. With student numbers falling and more purpose-built blocks popping up, officials hope to reclaim more "chopped up" houses to help those on the social housing waiting list. One of the houses had even seen a cupboard converted into a bedroom.

→ Read more on Brighton & Hove News

🧹 £750k big clean to scrub Brighton’s grimy gateway

A three-year pilot project has been greenlit to jet-wash the route from Brighton Station to the seafront. Following a successful trial on West Street that revealed rich golden brown pavements beneath layers of dirt and chewing gum, contractors will now work overnight to burnish the North Laine and The Lanes. The council also plans to launch a commercial graffiti removal service to help fund the upkeep.

→ Read more on Brighton & Hove News

🎸 The Maccabees announce star-studded On The Beach lineup

The Maccabees have revealed the full bill for their massive seafront homecoming show on Saturday, 25th July. Joining them are indie heavyweights Editors, Miles Kane, and Anna Calvi, alongside Brighton’s own Lime Garden. With 70% of tickets already gone, the band promised the performance will be even wilder than their legendary (and ban-inducing) Concorde 2 sets of the past.

→ Read more on Brighton & Hove News

Also in the news:

🏊 Duncan Goodhew Dives into Sea Lanes: The Olympic legend launched the 40th anniversary of the Swimathon in Brighton, where 30 locals kicked off the world’s largest annual fundraising swim. → read more on BBC News

📧 Council’s Big Email Fail: A review found a mass email to 1,156 parents about school admissions was never delivered because the council’s system capped out at 500 recipients—and they didn't realise for months. → read more on The Argus

🎓 Hove Park Attendance Woes: Ofsted has flagged "high persistent absence" at Hove Park School, with 34.8% of pupils missing significant learning time, despite the school earning praise for its "heartfelt" inclusion. → read more on Brighton & Hove News

🪧 Roadside Memorial Crackdown: Councillors are set to debate strict new rules that would see floral tributes removed after 14 days and ban permanent items like vases or "divisive" political symbols on public land. → read more on BBC News

🛒 The Dials Shop Wins Licence: A new convenience store on Dyke Road has secured a drinks licence despite 14 neighbour objections, with the 24-year-old owner impressing the panel with his high-tech ID checking app. → read more on Brighton & Hove News

🌱 Hollingdean Seed Swap Returns: Growing Hollingdean will host its annual Plant and Seed Fair on Sat 18 April at St Richard’s Church, raising funds to maintain 326 local fruit trees. → read more on Brighton & Hove News

🎣 Monster Eel Caught in Bognor: Fisherman Sam Walsh landed a whopping 25lb eel off the West Sussex shore—roughly ten times the size of a typical catch—after a 10-minute "left and right" struggle. → read more on BBC News

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🎬 Oska Bright Film Festival

Brighton hosts a BAFTA-qualifying powerhouse that many folks still haven't heard of. Oska Bright is the world’s leading festival for films made by or featuring people with learning disabilities or autism. It kicks off this Saturday across five city venues for a six-day run.

It started in 2004 when a few local filmmakers couldn’t find a place to screen their work. They built their own platform, and twenty years later, they’re showing over 120 films. Since fewer than 5% of the UK film industry is disabled, Oska isn't just about movies, it’s about changing the industry.

The programme has a huge degree of variety and depth, as well as spanning the city and visiting just about every top venue we have. You can catch horror at The Rose Hill, beachside films at Sea Lanes, or queer cinema at the Dome Studio. Many sessions have no entry fee or are very low-cost, so it’s easy to drop in and see something fresh.

The Schedule:

🍿 Being Ola (Opening Night) | Brighton Dome | 7pm, Sat, Mar 28
The festival kicks off with this moving Norwegian documentary following Ola's story. Stick around for the keynote speech and a Q&A with the film's creators right after.

🌊 Nature | Sea Lanes | 1pm, Sun, Mar 29
Films inspired by the natural world, screened right on the beach. Your ticket also bags you a guided coastal walk to explore the shoreline.

✍️ Poetry & Spoken Word | Sea Lanes | 3pm, Sun, Mar 29
A brand new strand for 2026. Expect a mix of films and live performances that celebrate rhythm, voice, and personal expression.

👨‍👩‍👧 Family Values | Brighton Dome Studio | 4pm, Sun, Mar 29
These films dive into the chaos and joy of family life. It’s a look at parenthood and sibling dynamics through a completely fresh lens.

🎃 Horror | The Rose Hill | 8pm, Mon, Mar 30
Dark humour and chilling twists. This spooky strand is screened for one night only, and The Rose Hill is the perfect setting for it.

🏆 Awards Night | Brighton Dome | 6:30pm, Wed, Apr 1
The big one. This is where filmmakers from all over the world gather to celebrate the standout work from the week.

🎞️ Best of the Fest | Dukes at Komedia | 1pm, Thu, Apr 2
If you missed the highlights during the week, this is your last chance. A curated selection of the festival's most popular films.

🏳️‍🌈 Queer Freedom | Brighton Dome Studio | 8pm, Thu, Apr 2
Head Programmer Matthew Hellett’s strand returns. It’s a brave and heart-filled celebration of LGBTQIA+ stories and queer love.

🎟️ Check out the full programme here

🍔 Fountain Head x Boysterous Burgers

When in North Laine, you really are spoilt for choice for date spots, but if there’s one combination I personally can never say no to, it’s a good pint and a proper smash burger. And for this combo, there’s one spot that nails it, with the perfect balance between rustic pub vibes and high-end kitchen talent. The secret to how this pub has such flavourful burgers is that their kitchen has been taken over by Boysterous Burgers, led by Head Chef Nick Wood (formerly of The Coal Shed). It’s a space that manages to feel both contemporary and cosy, with exposed brickwork and open fires that make it the perfect bolthole for an after-work date that inevitably turns into a late night.

The menu is a brilliant, slightly chaotic mashup of land and sea that goes beyond the old-school cheeseburger. They specialise in what is the best kind of burgers (in my opinion): smash burgers with thin patties and those essential crispy, caramelised edges, using the highest quality 28-day dry-aged beef. If you want to go big, the 'Juicy Zeus' comes loaded with truffle fondue and crispy fried onions, but the real curveball here is the fresh oysters. You can order them traditionally or try their signature hot version, where they’re coated in beef fat and breadcrumbs. It sounds like a wild combination, but for a foodie date, it’s the kind of unique menu that gives you something to talk about beyond the weather.

What’s great about this spot is how inclusive the menu actually is. They offer a solid ‘No Moo For You’ vegan burger using Moving Mountains patties and vegan Cathedral City cheese, and almost everything has a veggie counterpart, including the buttermilk fried chicken. Plus, if you’re visiting during the week, they do a £10 lunch deal for a double burger and chips, which is a proper steal for the North Laine. Plus, it’s dog-friendly, so you don't have to leave the third wheel at home.

📍 101-103 North Road, North Laine
🕣 Pub: 12pm-12am (Tue-Thu), 12-1am (Fri-Sat), 12-11pm(Sun-Mon)
🔗 Menu & More

📐 The Glasshouse in the Trees

Tucked away in a private Hove cul-de-sac, this 5,500 sq ft eco-modernist home is all about vaulted ceilings and light-filled "soaring" spaces. It’s a high-tech sanctuary with solar panels and smart automation, but the real draw is the south-west facing garden and the massive pool house, which is currently decommissioned and just waiting for a renovation to become the ultimate party spot.

📍 The Spinney, Hove
💰 £2,500,000
🔗 View on Rightmove

Tue

🎤 Ali Woods: Basher
8pm, Tue @ The Forge Comedy Club
Comedy Central star and viral sketch artist Ali Woods brings his brand-new stand-up show to Brighton after a sell-out tour. More Info

🌑 Pitchblack Playback: Fugees - The Score
7pm, Tue @ The Old Market
Celebrate 30 years of this iconic album with an immersive listening session in total darkness. More Info

🎤 Brighton and Hove Rock Choir
7:15pm, Tue @ Aldridge Community Academy
Join a high-energy local choir session led by Natasha Graimes, supporting local and national charities. More Info

Wed

✨ Dave Chawner: Mental
8pm, Wed @ Komedia
A feel-good stand-up show celebrating good mental health and having a laugh without the sob stories. More Info

🎭 Rotunda Comedy
8pm, Wed @ Rotunda Café Bar
A cracking night of stand-up featuring Sally-Anne Hayward, James Ellis, Blank Peng, and John Tothill. More Info

🧠 The Psychology Of Trauma & Emotions
7pm, Wed @ Brighthelm Centre
An insightful talk unpacking the psychological and neurological mechanisms behind how trauma shapes our emotional responses. More Info

🎤 The Brighton Slamologue
7:30pm, Wed @ Sweet@The Yellow Book
A monologue slam where performers deliver short dramatic pieces for a chance to win a cash prize. More Info

Thu

🇮🇪 Sean Burke: Your Man
8pm, Thu @ Komedia
The debut show from Irish internet comedy star Sean Burke, featuring tightly scripted gags and silly voices. More Info

💥 Comic Boom Comedy Club
7:30pm, Thu @ Komedia
A fast-paced night of new comedy featuring up-and-coming stars and a top professional headliner. More Info

🎨 David Storey: Premonition
11am – 5pm, Thu @ Cameron Contemporary Art
Evocative figurative paintings set within an imagined world of stillness and quiet transcendence. More Info

🍻 The Branding Needs Work
7:30pm, Thu @ Caxton Arms
A mix of experienced and new comedians trying out new material in a supportive community setting. More Info

🐉 Critical Wit
7:30pm, Thu @ The Secret Comedy Club
Advanced Improv and Dragons where the audience controls the action in a chaotic, comedic realm. More Info

Fri

👹 Garth Marenghi: This Bursted Earth
7:30pm, Fri @ Brighton Dome
The horror master presents freshly rancid tales of sinister visions and giant skeleton moustaches. More Info

🎭 The Ragged Trousered Philanthropists
7:30pm, Fri @ Ironworks Studios
Neil Gore brings this classic book to life through a one-man Magic Lantern show with political conjuring and songs. More Info

🎼 Turandot
7pm, Fri @ Brighton Unitarian Church
Concerto Lirico presents an abridged and semi-staged production of Puccini’s legendary opera. 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

🐻 My First Cinema: We’re Going on a Bear Hunt
11am, Fri @ Ropetackle Arts Centre
A wonderful animated adventure for little ones based on the best-selling bedtime book by Michael Rosen. More Info

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

💃 Dance - Powerful Dance Journeys
8pm, Fri @ Brighthelm Centre
A high-energy dance journey for those looking to find true expression through electronic music. More Info

🎨 David Storey: Premonition
11am – 5pm, Fri @ Cameron Contemporary Art
Continuing the exhibition of evocative figurative paintings in Hove. More Info

🖼️ Helm Gallery: Take The Streets
6pm, Fri @ Helm Gallery
A weekly takeover fusing art, music, tattoos, and cocktails in an electric creative space. More Info

⚽ Active Future Futsal Academy
6:30pm, Fri @ Longhill Sports Centre
Fast-paced indoor football for ages 8-13 focusing on technique and high ball contact. More Info

Live Music

Ghost Funk Orchestra | Komedia | Tue, Mar 24 | Tickets
The Murder Burgers + CHUB | The Hope & Ruin | Tue, Mar 24 | Tickets
Margarita Witch Cult | The Prince Albert | Tue, Mar 24 | Tickets

Holly Humberstone | Chalk | Wed, Mar 25 | Tickets
Mamas Gun | Komedia | Wed, Mar 25 | Tickets
Whitelands + Helen Ganya | The Hope & Ruin | Wed, Mar 25 | Tickets

Patrick Wolf | The Old Market | Thu, Mar 26 | Tickets
Heavenly + Sassyhiya | The Hope & Ruin | Thu, Mar 26 | Tickets

The Cribs | Concorde 2 | Fri, Mar 27 | Tickets
The Delines | The Old Market | Fri, Mar 27 | Tickets
Lo Fidelity Allstars | Chalk | Fri, Mar 27 | Tickets
The Total Stone Roses & Oaysis | Patterns | Fri, Mar 27 | Tickets
Lucy Kruger & The Lost Boys | The Green Door Store | Fri, Mar 27 | Tickets
AtticOmatic | The Prince Albert | Fri, Mar 27 | Tickets

Last week, we asked which legendary actor of both stage and silver-screen fame was at the inaugural Brighton Festival, and 60% of you nailed it with Laurence Olivier.

Today’s trivia is on my favourite food, burgers. Long before the rise of the smash burger (which was actually invented in the 1920s before becoming popularised in the 2010s!), which was the first American fast-food burger joint to open it’s doors in Brighton?