🐦 Crumbling £3m Seafront Flats, Jack White's Record Shop Takeover & The Naked Bike Ride Is Back!

Hello, Brighton & Hove!

We are properly melting out there, but let’s be honest: nobody is checking the thermometer much, as all eyes are firmly on the screens. The city is buzzing as England marches straight into the World Cup quarter-finals, so Saturday night is going to be an absolute, full-throttle blowout across town. If you haven't sorted your match-day table yet, you'd better start begging your local landlord right now.

If you need a break from the football madness, our cultural calendar is packed this week. We’ve got a rock icon making a surprise appearance, West End theatre chaos landing on our doorstep, and plenty of independent spots to explore when you need to duck out of the midday heat. Pour yourself something ice-cold, find some shade, and let’s dive straight in.

Here is what’s squawking this week

🚲 Naked Bike Ride is back in a big way in mid-September.
🗳️ Local authority shake-up creates new Sussex regional mayor.
🏗️ Southwick council flats hit with a massive £3m repair bill.
🏨 Royal Albion operators submit plans to rebuild east wing.
🦪 A Brighton chef was crowned the absolute king of oyster shucking.

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🏊 Seafront paddling pool shut for £26m arches overhaul

Brighton's popular King's Road paddling pool, playground, and public toilets will remain closed this summer as essential structural works begin on the underlying Victorian arches. The Department for Transport has awarded the city a £22 million grant, bolstered by an additional £3.9 million from council contributions and public borrowing, to secure the busy A259 highway for the next century.
→ read more on Brighton and Hove News

🗳️ Devolution deal creates new Sussex authority and regional mayor

A major shake-up of local government has established the Sussex and Brighton Strategic Authority ahead of the region's first direct mayoral election in 2028. Backed by an initial £117 million in government funding, the new strategic board will unite regional decision-making on transport, planning, and housing, while smaller county and district tiers are consolidated into expanded unitary councils.
→ read more on Brighton and Hove News

🏨 Refurbishment plans submitted for fire-damaged Royal Albion Hotel

Britannia Hotels has lodged a formal planning application to restore the surviving Grade II* listed eastern wing of Brighton's historic seafront hotel. The project includes introducing a modern fire-fighting core, a ramped entrance, and an open-access public bar, which the operator states is financially necessary to fund the future contemporary rebuilding of the demolished western section.
→ read more on Brighton and Hove News

🛣️ Valley Gardens transformation enters final phase on seafront

The highly ambitious Valley Gardens Phase 3 project is nearing completion this summer as contractors finalise landscaping, new paths, and seating around the Old Steine. The regeneration scheme has successfully reconnected the city's War Memorial to the surrounding footpaths, opened a protected bi-directional cycle lane, and replaced the congested Aquarium roundabout with an intelligent traffic signal junction.
→ read more on The Argus

🏗️ Shoddy construction leaves new council homes facing £3m repair bill

A newly built 49-home seafront council development in Southwick requires extensive structural restoration before any families on the housing waiting list can move in. Following the collapse of the original builder in 2023, independent engineering teams discovered severe design flaws, missing weatherproofing, and faulty damp courses that have funneled rainwater directly into dozens of the flats.
→ read more on Brighton and Hove News

🏛️ Greens and Labour lock horns over town hall budget maneuvers

Opposition Green councillors have accused Brighton's ruling Labour cabinet of using financial "smoke and mirrors" by raiding one-off financial reserves to report a balanced year-end budget. Independent figures show the city's general fund remains under intense structural pressure from an overspent social care contract and a £6.8 million deficit in emergency temporary housing placements.
→ read more on Brighton and Hove News

🏢 Brighton MP demands urgent property sector transparency laws

Green MP Siân Berry has called on Parliament to enforce stricter independent regulations and financial guarantees on managing agents to protect leaseholders from sudden corporate crises. Speaking in the Commons, Berry highlighted how local flat owners are facing ongoing legal disputes and utility cut-off threats due to millions in service charges being frozen inside a local agent's account.
→ read more on Brighton and Hove News

Also in the news:

🚲 Naked Bike Ride delayed to September: Brighton's annual naked cycle ride has been rescheduled for September 12 after safety concerns regarding a high-profile political protest forced organizers to cancel the original June date.
→ read more on The Argus

🗑️ Water bosses issue wet wipe warning: Southern Water has urged residents to stop flushing wet wipes ahead of next spring's ban on plastic varieties, revealing that wipes caused 59% of the region's 91,000 recent sewer blockages.
→ read more on Brighton and Hove News

🌷 Controversial flower beds net £750k savings: Eastbourne Borough Council's shift to sustainable, drought-resistant seafront planting is projected to save taxpayers £750,000 over a decade by reducing constant watering and imports.
→ read more on BBC News

🎸 80s pop icon backs Sussex Beacon: Frankie Goes to Hollywood lead singer Holly Johnson has officially joined the Sussex Beacon as a patron to help amplify support and challenge stigma for the local HIV charity.
→ read more on Brighton and Hove News

🦪 Oyster festival crowns shucking champion: Annia Gawlik from English’s of Brighton has won the annual BITE Brighton Oyster Shucking crown, successfully opening 20 oysters against the clock to book a spot at the national finals.
→ read more on The Argus

📡 Rottingdean phone mast plan defeated: Brighton and Hove City Council’s planning committee has voted 7-3 to reject a joint 5G antenna proposal by EE and Three on top of the locally listed art deco St Margaret’s Court flats.
→ read more on Brighton and Hove News

🌱 The Powering Local Businesses pop-up

📆 Now - 26 July 2026
📍 Duke’s Lane, Brighton

Taking the leap from selling online or at local markets to opening a proper brick-and-mortar shop is a massive step for small brands. That's why I'm completely backing the new Powering Local Businesses pop-up shop that has just landed on Duke’s Lane. Run in partnership with Enterprise Nation and EDF Small Business, this brilliant initiative gives independent, sustainable, and female-founded businesses a free two-week retail space to test the high street, connect directly with customers, and build confidence without the usual overhead risks.

The space has just officially opened, and they've got a fantastic rotation of brands you won't find anywhere else. From now until the 12th of July, you can pop in to check out Onyx Studio and their beautiful pigmented concrete homeware, alongside the gorgeously sustainable, small-batch knitwear from Elwin Studio. Then, from the 13th of July till the 26th, a fresh wave of founders take over, including non-toxic cleaning brand Natrie, home fragrance creators Àníké Lifestyle, London-born fashion label Babble & Goose, and eco-friendly reusable hygiene brand Wild Wipe. It's a wonderful way to discover something truly unique while supporting grassroots independent businesses.

🔗 Explore the pop-up and the Powering Local Businesses campaign

🍜 CK Bistro

Tucked away on Queens Road, CK Bistro is a completely humble, authentic Cha Chaan Teng, bringing a proper taste of Hong Kong to Brighton. The space is entirely unpretentious, serving up incredibly affordable, everyday comfort food built around that classic mash-up of Cantonese and Western influences.

It is superb value for a casual bite to eat, with most main dishes priced right around the £10 mark. If you are heading down, the absolute must-orders are the deeply comforting cheese-baked curry brisket rice, the punchy curry fish balls, and their deep-fried siu mai. You also can't leave without trying the Sichuan mala prawn noodle soup or the classic, indulgent Hong Kong French toast, thick white bread packed with peanut butter and doused in syrup with condensed milk on the side.

📍 23 Queens Road, Brighton
🕒 Open daily 12pm - 9pm
🔗 More Info

🏠 The Art Deco Masterpiece

Perched elegantly on the clifftop in Roedean, this brand new 5 bedroom residence is an architectural triumph inspired by classic Art Deco glamour. Spanning nearly 4,000 sq ft, the interior spaces showcase a striking blend of sleek lines and contemporary luxury crafted by top local design talent. The layout features two vast south-facing terraces overlooking the Sussex coast, an expansive media setup with separate cinema and gym rooms, and an entire top floor dedicated to a secluded primary suite retreat. Complete with an integrated garage, EV charging provisions, and a 10-year new-build warranty, it is the ultimate bespoke dream for anyone seeking cutting-edge modern living right on the ocean's edge.

📍 Deco, Roedean
💰 From £3,000,000
🔗 View on Rightmove

Tue

🍸 Abigail's Party | 7:30pm, Tue-Fri (plus Wed matinee) @ Theatre Royal
West End star Jodie Prenger in a brand-new production of Mike Leigh's classic comedy exploring 1970s suburban chaos. More Info

🎤 Celya AB + Amy Annette | 7:30pm, Tue @ Caroline of Brunswick
A work-in-progress comedy show featuring new material from circuit favourites Celya AB and Amy Annette. More Info

✂️ COLLAGE CLUB at THE HOPE & RUIN | 6pm, Tue @ The Hope & Ruin
A free, drop-in social creativity night where participants can use provided materials to create artwork and compete for drink prizes. More Info

Wed

🎸 Jack White - Instore | 5pm, Wed @ Resident Music
An absolute blockbuster of an evening, packing out the local record shop as the multi-Grammy-winning rock legend hits Brighton for an intimate in-store appearance. More Info

🕵️ It's A Mystery! | 8pm, Wed @ Komedia
A funny and engrossing one-man show by Tim Benzie exploring the enduring appeal of the murder mystery genre. More Info

🎭 Noises Off | 7pm, Wed - Sat @ Brighton Open Air Theatre
Michael Frayn's classic backstage farce tracks the hilarious, chaotic mishaps of a touring theatre company attempting to perform a flop of a play. More Info

🏆 Sussex Heritage Trust Awards | 12pm, Wed @ AMEX Stadium
The 28th annual awards ceremony and luncheon recognising excellence in conservation, restoration, and architectural design across newly built projects. More Info

💼 Find your first 10 customers | 1pm, Wed @ 6 Dukes Lane
A free, practical lunchtime marketing workshop led by agency founder Rachael Dines focusing on low-cost strategies to help early-stage businesses secure their initial customer base. More Info

🎬 MatchCut Film Club Presents : Le Bonheur | 8pm, Wed @ Pink Moon
A screening of director Agnès Varda's 1960s French New Wave romance film exploring complicated relationships against a soft summer backdrop. More Info

Thur

🎤 Beatrix Carlotta: "I'm Rambling Here!" | 7:30pm, Thu @ Caroline of Brunswick
An Italian-American one-woman comedy show combining sharp stand-up and storytelling to explore themes of ageing, assimilation, and authenticity. More Info

👶 A Dance For Us | 11am & 2pm, Thu @ The Dance Space, Market Sq.
An immersive dance and live cello performance designed as a restorative experience for babies aged up to twelve months and their carers. More Info

🎤 Edinburgh Fringe Preview: Kate Butch & James Barr | 7:30pm, Thu @ Komedia
A double-bill Edinburgh Fringe preview show featuring stand-up comedy from RuPaul’s Drag Race UK star Kate Butch and comedian James Barr. More Info

🍕 Middle Kid Club x Pommy's Pizza & Lucky Saint: Slices & Chats | 6:30pm, Thu @ Pommy's Pizza - An intimate, social dinner event bringing people together around a shared table for pizza slices and non-alcoholic beer. More Info

🪩 Connect at The Rooftop | 5pm, Thu @ Projects Nile House
A relaxed, monthly networking evening designed to connect the local business community on an open rooftop with drinks and scenic views. More Info

🍷 Wine & Cheese Club | 7:30pm, Thu @ Rockwater Hove
A guided tasting session exploring a curated flight of wines from Hallgarten Wines paired with artisan cheeses from The Cheese Man. More Info

Fri

🐶 Bluey's Big Play | 1pm, Fri @ Brighton Centre
A brand-new theatrical puppet adaptation of the Emmy Award-winning children's television series following Bluey and Bingo as they try to get Dad off his bean bag. More Info

🎱 Reggae Bingo | 7pm, Fri @ Horizon Nightclub
A live musical bingo event featuring comedy, dance-offs, and cash prizes soundtracked by dancehall, soca, and reggae anthems. More Info

🎵 Emerge x London Philharmonic Orchestra | 7pm, Fri @ Quarters
A free showcase of emerging Sussex artists spanning rap, R&B, and alternative sounds developed in collaboration with the London Philharmonic Orchestra. More Info

🎭 For What It's Worth | 7:30pm, Fri @ The Lantern Theatre
An Arts Council-funded original play written for young people exploring themes of connection, acceptance, and finding your voice in a hectic world. More Info

🎤 Stand Up Comedy for Venezuela! | 7pm, Fri @ Old Palesteine House
A charity comedy night featuring a lineup of local Brighton comedians to raise funds for earthquake relief efforts in Venezuela. More Info

🎵 Simon & Garfunkel - A Celebration | 8pm, Fri @ Ironworks Studios
An intimate acoustic tribute concert celebrating the timeless songs and vocal harmonies of the iconic duo alongside highlights from their solo careers. More Info

🕺 Up All Night: One Direction 16th Anniversary Party | 11pm, Sat @ Komedia
A themed pop appreciation club night dedicated entirely to the music of One Direction and the members' solo careers. More Info

🎤 Michelle Wolf: Best Job in the World | 8pm, Sat @ Brighton Dome
Emmy-nominated comedian Michelle Wolf performs a stand-up set following her critically acclaimed global headline tours and television appearances. More Info

Live Music

Arcane Roots | 7pm, Tue @ Chalk
ORB + Support | 7:30pm, Tue @ The Hope & Ruin
The Secret Comedy Club Tuesdays | 8pm, Tue @ Artista

Jack White | 5pm, Wed @ Resident Music
Rose's Pawn Shop (California Americana) | 7pm, Wed @ The Brunswick
Lydia Lunch & Marc Hurtado play Suicide and Alan Vega | 8pm, Wed @ The Brunswick

Georgia Black: Live & Intimate | 7pm, Thu @ Hotel Pelirocco
Jjerome87: Live + Signing | 6:30pm, Thu @ Resident Music
Limited Ltd | 7:30pm, Thu @ The Rossi Bar

Greg Abate | 5:30pm, Fri @ St Andrew's Church
Aftersbtn - Deep Cuts Terrace Party | 6pm, Fri @ Patterns
Kevin Morby | 6pm, Fri @ Chalk
Bright'n Sleazy 2 | 6:30pm, Fri @ Daltons
The Dead Reds - Album Release Show | 7pm, Fri @ The Hope & Ruin
Him & Earl - Live Album Launch | 7pm, Fri @ Alphabet
Vegas Lounge | 7:30pm, Fri @ The Barn Theatre, Southwick
Simon & Garfunkel - A Celebration | 8pm, Fri @ Ironworks Studios
Tom Walker Band - live at Rock Inn | 8pm, Fri @ The Rock Inn Kemptown
The Seagrass Band | 9pm, Fri @ Fiddler's Elbow

Last week's driving trivia was an absolute blowout! A fantastic 58.82% of you knew that Dorothy Levitt pioneered the use of a compact pocket mirror to see behind her, essentially inventing the rear-view mirror on the Madeira Drive seafront. You can read up on her incredible history on the Brighton & Hove Museums Dorothy Levitt Biography Page.

This week, we are looking at the historic 1974 Eurovision Song Contest held right here at the Brighton Dome. It famously launched Swedish pop icons ABBA into global superstardom when they won with Waterloo. However, the UK's entry that night was a massive global star who actually finished in a respectable 4th place.