The Brighton & Hove Wrap - 2nd May 2025
Synagogue grade listed, May culture listings + Browns' closure
š¢Plans to build 42 flats at 145-151 Kingsway, Hove, have been rejected again by the council. Local democracy reporter Sarah Booker-Lewis has the latest on the unsuccessful planning appeal.
šøThe Brighton i360 was purchased for Ā£150,000 in February and its new owners spent Ā£400,000 to get the viewing capsule working again, says BBC News.
šResearchers at the University of Brighton have completed the worldās first genome sequencing of the the dog whelk, āa marine species critical in tracking sea pollutionā, reports The Argus.
ā”The research opens āa window into how pollution disrupts marine lifeā.
šThe Brighton & Hove Reform Synagogue in Palmeira Avenue has been given a Grade II listing (BBC News).
ā”āThe principal interest in the building is the Holocaust Memorial Windows, designed by John Petts (1924-1992), which have been described as āone of the greatest works of 20th century religious artā,ā writes the cityās Regency Society.
šThe council will provide a monthās worth of free garden waste collections to compensate customers who subscribe to the service for missed collections in recent months, reports Brighton and Hove News.
š½A new restaurant has opened on Brighton seafront ā The Winkle. Itās on the former site of Due South restaurant at 139 Kingās Road Arches . Here a write-up from The Argus.
š¤Brighton Gay Menās Chorus, which is celebrating its 20th anniversary this year, has a new charity partner for the next year, local HIV charity Lunch Positive ā The Scene.
āThis newsletter will be sent out before the results of the Westbourne & Poetsā Corner by-election for a new councillor are announced, but, when the time comes, you can find out who won here.
šMay is the month for arts and culture events in the city:
ā”The Brighton Festival and Brighton Fringe both begin this weekend (Friday and Saturday respectively).
ā”Hereās Brighton Fringeās guide to the different ticket types available and a guide from The Argus. (The new banners you might see around the city are by East Sussex-based artist Bella Gomez).
ā”Itās the St Annās Well Gardens Spring Festival on Saturday.
ā”Artists Open Houses begin.
ā”Phoenix Art Space has a roster of new shows starting this month.
ā”The first Kemptown Village Food & Makers Market takes place on Saturday.
ā” Local non-profit radio Platform B has announced it will host a free opening party for The Great Escape Festival on Wednesday 14th May:
šµLater in the month, an exhibition on Mod fashion will open at Brighton Museum. BBC News has more detail.
šRail operator Arriva Group wants to run trains from Brighton to Newcastle (via, Oxford, Birmingham, Sheffield and York too). Itās submitting an application to the Office of Rail and Road, reports Brighton and Hove News, for five daily services from December 2026.
šThe Volkās Railway is currently operating a residentsā discount, which ends today.
š·Browns brasserie is closing its original restaurant on Duke Street after 52 years, reports Restaurant.
š»The Sussex Arms on East Street is closed until 15th May as part of a āsix-figure renovationā, according to The Argus.
š„Concorde 2 has announced a run of special shows to mark its 25th anniversary:
š¶Brighton & Hove Albionās kit team is walking 35 miles for charity in June. More on this event from the club here.
šThe landlord of The Park View pub in Preston Park, Brighton, is fundraising for an ambulance for Ukraine, which heāll drive to the country as part of a convoy of vehicles in June.
šŖThe first 100 customers on Saturday and Sunday at new North Laine bakery, Bee May Baker, will get a free cookie this weekend.