The Brighton & Hove Wrap - Friday 11th July 2025
Libraries closure, new blue plaque + indoor tennis courts petition
📖Rottingdean, Hollingbury and Westdene libraries could close as part of council budget balancing, says Brighton and Hove News.
➡Opening hours at Jubilee Library and Hove Library may also be reduced by two hours on Monday evenings and three hours on Sunday at Jubilee Library; and two hours on Wednesday evenings and three hours on Saturdays at Hove.
➡Hollingbury Library was relocated in 2017 and plans to build two new council developments on its former site were approved in January.
📚Meanwhile, the libraries’ annual summer reading challenge for children launched this week. It runs until 7th September.
🦋A rare moth — the aptly named Scarce Forester moth - has been spotted at Benfield Hill Local Nature Reserve. Brighton and Hove News has the details of the sighting a few weeks back.
🎾Plans to replace two indoor tennis courts at Withdean Sports Complex with padel courts are now on hold, reports BBC News. More than 1,000 people have signed a petition against the move and the council will meet with centre members.
🚶♂️There’s a change in dates for the closure of the steps connecting Kemptown to the beach, reports Brighton and Hove News. The stairs from Madeira Drive (we think here) will now be shut between 25th July and 8th August and then again from 20th August to 3rd September.
🏙The Argus reports on this week’s community demonstration against Co-op and in support of Seven Dials’ businesses Latina Cafe and Seven Cellars.
🆘Two police officers from Brighton were celebrated at the National Police Bravery Awards this week. Sergeants Matthew Seekings and Craig Lees were recognised for their late-night sea rescue of a young girl last May, says Sussex Police.
🏗More of the city’s seafront arches will be restored or rebuilt thanks to a £21 million award from the Department of Transport, reports Brighton and Hove News.
🌊Offenders will help the council refurbish eleven “cucumber” benches on Hove seafront as part of a community payback scheme, reports The Argus.
🚨A woman who was arrested at the Queers for Palestine protest march in Brighton last weekend is being investigated by counter-terror police, according to Brighton and Hove News.
❌The city’s council has been criticsed by the deputy leader of Eastbourne Borough Council for contributing to the deaths of two homeless men who were placed in emergency accommodation in Eastbourne by BHCC, reports BBC News.
🚨From Sussex Police:
➡A man has been charged after a stabbing in Marine Parade on 2nd July.
➡Police want the public’s help to identify a man involved in a serious assault in Western Road on Saturday 5th July.
⚽Brighton & Hove Albion fans review the team’s new kit ahead of the ‘25/26 season for We Are Brighton.
➡The club has also announced some fixture changes for the men’s team in August.
➡It’s the last weekend to see the exhibit about the men’s team’s European campaign at Brighton Museum.
🏳️🌈🏳️⚧️LGBTQ+ charity Stonewall Housing’s LGBTQ+ supported accommodation in Brighton is now open to residents, reports Scene.
➡“The typical stay ranges from 12 to 18 months, and there is no age limit. There are six vacancies available (…) They will receive 1:1 support, house meetings and planning.”
🎻Latest has a rundown of what’s to come in Brighton Philharmonic Orchestra’s new concert season - details of which have just been announced.
🪘Lovely story (via Facebook) of a musician trying to track down a group of drummers on Brighton seafront from two years ago.
📀Record label Bella Union’s shop is moving location from Church St to Gloucester Rd, Brighton:
🔵St Ann’s Well Gardens will get a new blue plaque, according to the Regency Society, to mark “aviation pioneers” the Short Brothers.
🎥Got film or video from the former Gardner Arts Centre (now the Attenborough Centre)? This project via Reddit wants your help.
📅For your diary📅
📣The North Laine Community Association’s bi-monthly meeting takes place this Tuesday (15th).
🎙The newest incarnation of 14-17 Manchester Street, Brighton — once Latest Music Bar — will launch on Wednesday (16th), says Brighton Journal. Music college Water Bear has taken over the venue:
🍺Bitter Women Brewery will host a merchandise launch and lagueritas night at UnBarred Taproom on Thursday (17th):
