🐦 Taxi Fare Surge Demanded, Trump’s Ex-Communications Director In Town & £37m Lifeline For Seafront Arches

Hello Brighton & Hove!

We are speeding through the week, and if you think the midweek calendar is packed, just wait until you see what we've got lined up for Friday's email. The weekend is shaping up to be an absolute monster. But before we get ahead of ourselves, there is plenty to keep you busy right now. From high-stakes local news and massive political talks at the Dome to high-energy theatre, intimate acoustic sessions, and plenty of midweek hangouts, we've got all the best bits lined up for you.

Let's get straight into it!

Here is what’s squawking this week

🚖 Cabbies push for taxi fare hike as fuel costs soar.
🎙️ Ex-Trump director Anthony Scaramucci hits the Dome.
🏛️ Council seeks £37m lifeline for seafront arches.
🎭 Drag Race's Ginger Johnson lands at The Old Market.
🎡 Brighton Wheel edges closer to 25 year seafront return.

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🚖 Taxi drivers demand fare increase to offset rising costs

Brighton and Hove taxi drivers are urging the city council to raise licensed cab fares to help drivers cover rising fuel prices and insurance premiums. A report to the cabinet recommends the proposed tariff increase, which would see basic fares start at £3 and increase by 30p every 160 yards, keeping the city in line with neighbouring authorities while ensuring cabbies can earn the living wage.
→ read more on Brighton and Hove News

🏛️ Council seeks £37m government backing for King's Road arches renewal

Brighton and Hove City Council’s cabinet is set to agree to £4 million in local funding to unlock £37 million from the Department for Transport's Structures Fund. The £41 million project covers phases six and seven of the Seafront Arches Renewal Programme, securing the structural integrity of 38 Victorian arches supporting the A259 highway between the King's Road playground and the volleyball court.
→ read more on Brighton and Hove News

🛑 Traders and residents step up legal threat over Western Road red route

Local business owners and carers have challenged the council over alleged discrepancies in the justifications for introducing a red route along Western Road. The Western Road Community Group has warned of potential legal action if cabinet members press ahead with the scheme, citing fears over lost trade, delivery disruptions, and restricted access for disabled blue badge holders.
→ read more on Brighton and Hove News

🎡 Council cabinet to decide on 25-year lease for returning Brighton Wheel

The Brighton Wheel is one step closer to returning to Madeira Drive as the council's cabinet prepares to decide whether to grant a 25-year lease to the operators of the Brighton Zip. If approved, the private operator will fully fund the construction and running costs of the attraction at Dalton's Bastion, generating guaranteed commercial rent for the city to reinvest in seafront maintenance.
→ read more on Brighton and Hove News

🏢 Millions missing from client accounts of insolvent property firm

Clients of the collapsed property management firm PS&B Estate Management have been warned they may only recover a fraction of their money after official receivers found just £386,173 remaining in bank accounts that once held over £7 million. HMRC's £1.8 million tax debt takes priority over other creditors, while organised crime squad detectives continue a years-long fraud investigation into the firm's director.
→ read more on Brighton and Hove News

⚽ The Albion smash Coventry City 5-0 to move into top four

Brighton and Hove Albion climbed to fourth place in the Premier League table after a dominant 5-0 away victory against 10-man Coventry City. Goals from Charalampos Kostoulas, Malick Yalcouye, Pascal Gross, Lewis Dunk, and Yasin Ayari sealed a resounding win after Sky Blues striker Taiwo Awoniyi was sent off early in the second half.
→ read more on Brighton and Hove News

🚌 Regional leaders approve £500k feasibility study into Sussex bus reform

The Sussex and Brighton Strategic Authority board has approved a year-long £500,000 study funded by the Department for Transport to explore bus network improvements across the county. The study will examine options ranging from route franchising to full public ownership ahead of the first elected Sussex mayor taking office in May 2028.
→ read more on Brighton and Hove News

Also in the news:

💰 Forgotten pub section 106 fund gives £97k boost to Bevendean: Labour councillors have uncovered £97,243 in unspent developer contributions from the old White Admiral pub site, inviting local residents to decide how the funds should be invested in community facilities.
→ read more on Brighton and Hove News

🎓 Longhill School praised by Ofsted following academic turnaround: An Ofsted report has commended the positive culture and rising standards at Longhill secondary school, where standard attendance rose by 4% and top GCSE grades doubled following a three-year improvement drive.
→ read more on Brighton and Hove News

🚗 Consultation opens for new controlled parking zone in Hove: Brighton and Hove City Council has announced a public drop-in session on 29 September for residents in Aldrington, Nevill, and Goldstone Valley to shape plans for a new controlled parking scheme.
→ read more on Brighton and Hove News

💔 Cabinet urged to approve closure of Wellington House day centre: Council officers have formally advised cabinet members to close the Wellington House learning disability day centre, recommending a managed transition for its 21 service users despite fierce protests from families and carers.
→ read more on Brighton and Hove News

💡 Council and power firm clash over dark Black Rock boardwalk lights: A public dispute has broken out between the council and UK Power Networks over why over 100 installed seafront lights along the Black Rock boardwalk remain switched off four years after installation.
→ read more on Brighton and Hove News

🚢 Brighton Marina proposes dumping dredged silt off Newhaven: Premier Marinas has announced plans to apply for a licence to deposit dredged sand and silt at Newhaven Harbour's existing marine disposal site from spring next year.
→ read more on Brighton and Hove News

🌳 Festival organisers agree to fund Hove Park turf repairs: Festival promoters Joy Concerts have agreed to cover the full cost of rolling and reseeding Hove Park after heavy rain during the Live at Hove Park event left the grass waterlogged and churned up.
→ read more on The Argus

🎓 Brighton graduate faces soaring interest on £42k student loan: A local solicitor has highlighted the financial strain of Plan 2 student loans after repaying £48,000 over a decade on an initial £42,000 debt while still owing £21,500 due to compounding interest.
→ read more on BBC News

🎨 BeauBottletops & Beau-Events

Jessie Marie is an absolute local gem and a true creative powerhouse in our city’s art scene. As the artist and force behind BeauBottletops and Beau-Events, she splits her time crafting her own stunning original pieces and running brilliantly curated Art & Makers Markets across Brighton and Hove. Coming from a background in mental health and psychology, she has always centred her mission on community building magical, supportive platforms for independent makers to network, connect, and put their work in the spotlight.

Jessie kindly invited me along to the launch evening of her new joint exhibition, 'Bottle Pop 2.0', last night, and the vibe in the room was completely electric. Her magnetic personality filled the space, and it was so brilliant to see her friends, family, and fans turn up to support her; she’d even sold several pieces before the night was barely underway!

Her current exhibition with @iheartpopart_ showcases over 100 vibrant, colourful artworks right on the seafront. At face value, it’s easy to look at a piece and think "I could do that," but once you stand in front of her work and hear her explain the staggering amount of detail, thought, and intricate process behind every single bottle top creation, you quickly realise just how rare and complex her talent really is. Jessie is someone who pours everything into supporting others while constantly growing as an artist, and she deserves to be celebrated in every single way.

📅  ‘Bottle Pop 2.0’ Art Exhibition
⏰ Free entry! Open daily 11am-6pm (Until 20th Sept. Sun)
📍 Fishing Quarter Gallery, 201 Kings Road Arches, Brighton

🔗 Visit the Beau-Events Website
🔗 Follow @beaubottletops on Instagram
🔗 Follow @beaueventsbrighton on Instagram

🌮 La Choza (my review)

I grabbed dinner here last night, and the fact that the inside was completely packed, with plenty of people sitting outside like me on a Monday evening, speaks volumes. Finding a place this buzzing on a Monday night in Brighton is rare, but once the food hits the table, you completely get it.

The whole place is an absolute burst of colour, packed with funky folk art, neon lights, and sugar skulls. I started with the calamari before tucking into a vegetarian burrito, and everything was ridiculously good. The service was fast, super friendly, and genuinely welcoming. You can tell they put real care into their authentic street food, from their slow-cooked fillings right down to imported Mexican chillies and homemade salsas. As far as Mexican flavours go in Brighton, this has comfortably landed in my Top 3.

📍 36 Gloucester Road, Brighton, BN1 4AQ
🕒 11:30am to 10pm (Mon to Sun)
🔗 Check them out

🏠 The Roedean Heights Clifftop Villa

Perched on an exclusive clifftop enclave in Roedean, this remarkable 7-bedroom, 8-bathroom detached residence blends classic Neo-Tudor Downland character with a complete contemporary interior redesign. Spanning 4,592 sq ft across 4 levels, the home features an internal passenger lift to the 1st floor and Dekton stone flooring throughout. Highlights include a double-height entrance hall with a striking wall of glass framing panoramic sea views, a fully excavated lower-ground-floor gym with direct garden access, and a vast south-facing sun terrace of over 130 sq m. Outside, a double garage and driveway provide ample parking, while the South Downs National Park sits right on your doorstep. Off to ask my bank manager if my good personality counts toward a deposit.😅

📍 Roedean Heights, BN2
💰 £3,500,000
🔗 View on Rightmove

Tue

🎙️ Anthony Scaramucci: The All The Wrong Moves Tour | 7:30pm, Tue @ Brighton Dome-Financier and former White House Communications Director Anthony Scaramucci discusses political division in the US and how the country can move forward. More Info

📚 Silent Book Club | 6:30pm, Tue @ The Archives
A cosy evening to grab a cocktail, bring your current read, and enjoy an hour and a half of uninterrupted reading with fellow book lovers. More Info

🎸 David Gedge | 7pm, Tue @ Komedia
The Wedding Present frontman presents an intimate book launch evening featuring an acoustic set by Darren Hayman, a cross-examination interview, audience Q&A, and a semi-acoustic band performance. More Info

🎸 The Jayhawks | 7pm, Tue @ Corn Exchange, Brighton Dome
A pioneering American alternative country and roots-rock band brings their lush vocal harmonies and classic Americana songwriting to Brighton. More Info

🍷 Tom Gilbey: Absolute Filth | 7:30pm, Tue @ The Old Market
Award-winning wine expert and author Tom Gilbey shares stories, insights, and wine celebration from a 30-year career in the industry. More Info

Wed

🎤 Chris McCausland, Zoe Lyons and MC Iain Stirling | 7:30pm, Wed @ Brighton Open Air Theatre-A stellar night of stand-up comedy featuring Strictly winner Chris McCausland, panel show favourite Zoe Lyons, and Love Island's Iain Stirling on MC duties. More Info

🎭 Comedy Mansion: Bobby Mair, Ali Woods and more | 7pm, Wed @ Shelter Hall-The Comedy Mansion makes its Brighton debut with a stacked lineup of UK stand-up talent, headlined by Bobby Mair and Ali Woods. More Info

🎷 Fundraiser for Brighton Women's Equinox Service | 7pm, Wed @ Daltons
A multi-disciplinary fundraising night featuring spoken word and jazz with Christopher Luu, neo-soul from Tia Ice, and a solo jazz-Bengali fusion set by Tara Lily. More Info

🎭 Boast in Show | 8pm, Wed @ Komedia
A hilariously uplifting comedy showdown created by Carl Carzana where comedians battle it out using compliments instead of insults. More Info

Thur

🎭 Dorian Gray | 7pm, Thu @ Brighton Open Air Theatre
Oscar Wilde's classic gothic tale, adapted into an atmospheric one-man stage show that follows the dark secrets and sinful descent of the eternally youthful Dorian Grey. More Info

🎤 Freya Ridings | 7pm, Thu @ Concert Hall, Brighton Dome
The London-based singer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist brings her 'Mother of Pearl' tour to Brighton for an evening of soaring vocals and deeply personal storytelling. More Info

📚 Kemptown Bookshop: 50th Anniversary Celebration | 7pm, Thu @ St George’s Church-Celebrate 50 years of bookselling in Kemptown with an evening of stories from the bookshop’s history, community networking, and the launch of their bookshop anthology. More Info

🎙️ Daniel Kitson - Thrum | 7:30pm, Thu & Fri @ Brighton Dome
Acclaimed comedian and storyteller Daniel Kitson presents his latest show exploring sound, everyday moments, and human connections. More Info

🧘 Piano Yoga | 7:30pm, Thu @ Brighton Unitarian Church
An immersive 90-minute yoga session with teacher Eve Crawshaw, accompanied by live improvised piano from Luke Congdon. More Info

🎨 HODs 2026 - Making 20th Century Silhouettes at the Seaside | 5pm, Thu @ The Regency Town House-Professor Annebella Pollen presents on the life and work of Brighton's 20th-century pier artists, focusing on West Pier silhouettists Hubert Leslie and Arthur Forrester. More Info

🎬 Tim Pope: In Conversation + Book Signing | 6:15pm, Thu @ Resident Music
Legendary music video director Tim Pope shares riotous behind-the-scenes stories from his work with David Bowie, Queen, and The Cure, and signs books. More Info

🗣️ How do we make Brighton & Hove work for everyone? | 6:30pm, Thu @ BMECP Centre-An open community assembly for disabled residents, carers, and local support networks to discuss driving action toward greater inclusion in the city. More Info

Fri

🎼 BPO Listening Club: Rach Pag And Janáček’s Sinfonietta | 6pm, Fri @ Brighton Unitarian Church-Joanna MacGregor hosts an informal, illustrated one-hour talk exploring the composers' intentions, historical context, and musical themes behind the season's repertoire. More Info

🎭 Ginger Johnson | 8pm, FRI @ The Old Market
Drag Race UK winner Ginger Johnson swaps stilettos for safety goggles in a death-defying, high-energy comedy show packed with big hair and big laughs. More Info

🎶 Paul Simon's 'Graceland' Reimagined | 7pm, Fri @ Brighton Dome
The London African Gospel Choir returns with a full band to deliver an electrifying, soul-filled performance celebrating 40 years of Paul Simon's iconic album Graceland. More Info

🎤 The Take That Experience | 7pm, Fri @ Brighton Open Air Theatre
Celebrating over a decade together, this popular tribute act recreates the magic of Take That with acclaimed vocals, replica costumes, and iconic dance routines. More Info

🍸 Brighton Cocktail Festival | Fri-Sun @ Various Venues across Brighton & Hove-A week long city-wide celebration of mixology featuring £6 exclusive signature cocktails, £4 mocktails, cocktail trails, and special events across 50+ local bars. More Info

🎭 Musical Theatre Raves: Brighton 2026 | 9pm, Fri @ Revenge
An all-night rave-style party featuring non-stop West End and Broadway anthems, themed performers, mass singalongs, and lip-sync battles. More Info

📸 Women in Documentary Photography | Fri-Sun @ University of Brighton
A weekend celebrating ten years of the Marilyn Stafford FotoReportage Award, featuring exhibition launches, panel discussions, photo book signings, and Nikon workshops. More Info

Live Music

Houndshark & Neumatic Parlo | Tue @ The Brunswick
Jazz Jam | Tue @ The Brunswick
Houndshark & Neumatic Parlo | Tue @ The Brunswick
Folklore Monthly Showcase | Tue @ Folklore Rooms
H_ngm_n + Moving Day + funeral + Halcyon | Tue @ Prince Albert
Jazz Jam | Tue @ The Brunswick
Day We Ran | Tue @ Green Door Store

Claude Bourbon, progressive blues | Wed @ The Brunswick
Fanna-Fi Allah Sufi Qawwali | Wed @ Komedia
MIXED-MEDIA POETRY & JAZZ FUNDRAISER | Wed @ Daltons
Faith in Strangers | Wed @ Folklore Rooms
Bert: Album release gig | Wed @ Rossi Bar
BRATAKUS + Creeping Embers + Batmilk | Wed @ Prince Albert
Marla | Wed @ Green Door Store

The Mehfil Space presents South Asian Classical Music | Thu @ The Brunswick
SHALLOW HONEY //+MORE | Thu @ Prince Albert
Honeyglow | Thu @ Rossi Bar
DRAG ME DOWN THE AISLE | Thu @ Daltons
95Pulse – East Meets West | Thu @ Rose Hill
The Mehfil Space presents South Asian Classical Music | Thu @ The Brunswick
Allie Sherlock | Thu @ Concorde 2
Ivebeeneatingfruit | Thu @ Green Door Store
Sofia Ford + Daytura + Izzie Derry | Thu @ Hope & Ruin

Wyld Rose Blues Bash | Fri @ The Brunswick
Bela Fool X Undereel (+Support) | Fri @ Komedia
Ctrl Alt Del Birthday – Currls + more | Fri @ Rossi Bar
Think Twice w/ DJ Barry Dust & Friends | Fri @ Fortune of War
Rave At Your Fictional Borders (Album Tour) | Fri @ Rose Hill
Osaka Sun | Fri @ Folklore Rooms
Ctrl Alt Del Birthday – Dark Mode club night | Fri @ Rossi Bar
Beck 'Ride Lonesome': Album Listening Event | Fri @ Resident
A NIGHT OF EUROPEAN MUSIC | Fri @ Caroline of Brunswick
Wyld Rose Blues Bash | Fri @ The Brunswick
The Mechanist | Fri @ Dust
Sofia Kourtesis | Fri @ Quarters
WU LYF | Fri @ Patterns
THE OFFIE MAG SOCIAL | Fri @ Alphabet
Get The Water + Bone Bag + Your Majesty + Arbie | Fri @ Prince Albert
Guns N' Roses Experience | Fri @ Concorde 2
Polite Bureaux | Fri @ Green Door Store
TV Smith & The Bored Teenagers + Fractured | Fri @ Hope & Ruin

Last week's vault trivia saw half of you get it right! A clean 50.00% of voters correctly identified that Vault 13 is currently used as a storage shed for gardening tools. You can read about the history of the vaults in the official St Nicholas Church Gardens Conservation Management Plan.

This week, we are looking at an easily overlooked piece of seafront history connected to the Roedean School. Excavated around 1910, a secret passage cuts directly through the chalk beneath the busy main road, allowing pupils to walk safely down to the coast for sea swimming and sports, and later serving as an air-raid shelter during the Second World War.