Good morning, Brighton. Welcome to Brighton Scoop, the local newsletter where we still haven’t learned how to properly use commas. And why start now?! We’re taking Monday off for a wander in the countryside (if the weather cooperates) so we’ll be back in your inbox on Wednesday.

In today’s Brighton Scoop:

- Phil Reynolds

🛍️ While Britain's high streets gasp under 13-17% vacancy rates (according to Retail Data Analytics Pro), Brilliant Brighton's BID is strutting along at a svelte 5.6%. The wider city centre's holding steady too, dipping to 8.2%.

CEO Gavin Stewart is chuffed, crediting the city's "vibrant, confident" vibe (and presumably its addiction to independent shops — 70% of the city centre, trouncing the national 30%). Christmas lights are coming to sweeten the deal further.

Not everyone's celebrating, though: Churchill Square, West Street, Trafalgar Street and Queen's Road are all seeing vacancies climb (although these are outside the Brilliant Brighton BID area) — proof the shine doesn't quite reach every corner just yet.

👣 Seemingly Scoop readers favourite news… Sept 27th - 29th (Sunday to Tuesday) are bringing some fairly low tides once again for you to potter along waterfront and enjoy our monthly sandy beach. Coupled with the 20° outdoor temp, 19° water temp, sunset low tide; Sunday evening, the beach is the place to be. Full tide times

⛸️ Brighton's beloved Royal Pavilion ice rink might be facing its final glide, as gardening volunteers warn its return this winter could sabotage the gardens' £6.5 million restoration. An email urging volunteers to lobby the council claims the rink has already "scarred" the landscape and helped land it on the Heritage At Risk register.

Rink operator Laine Ltd isn't ready to hang up its skates, pointing to £8 million in annual visitor spend and a decade of clean power — but admits no diesel-free alternative venue has been found.

The council and trust are still "exploring" a compromise, leaving skaters, gardeners and hedgehogs alike wondering: will this festive tradition survive the thaw?

🎓 Fancy yourself the next big entrepreneur — or just curious what that even means? Sussex's Careers and Entrepreneurship team is opening its doors to students of every subject and year, plus recent grads (up to three years out).

Whether it's freelancing, launching a business, or building a project with social or creative impact, they'll help you turn "having an idea" into "making it happen" — skills employers are increasingly hungry for.

Throughout 2026-27, expect events and programmes to spark your entrepreneurial mindset. First up: an online "Introduction to Entrepreneurship" session on Tuesday 13 October. Book your spot via CareerHub and see where your bright idea could take you.

☀️ | 📈 23° | 📉 12° | ☔️ 5% | 🌬️ S 4mph | 🌊 <1ft

☀️ | 📈 19° | 📉 13° | ☔️ 5% | 🌬️ SW 4mph | 🌊 <1ft

☁️ | 📈 21° | 📉 13° | ☔️ 20% | 🌬️ S 11mph | 🌊 <1ft

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Cinema’s aren’t going to fill themselves. Break a habit of a lifetime, turn off Netflix, get off the sofa and potter down to your local (cinema).

Duke of York’s Picturehouse - Book

Sense and Sensibility | Coraline | Resident Evil | Ali Plumb’s Untitled Film Quiz Project

Dukes at Komedia - Book

🎈Gruffalo’s Child | Hope | Pressure | Practical Magic 2 | 🎈Shaun The Sheep: The Beast of Mossy Bottom | Sexy Beast | Coyote v ACME | Teenage Sex & Death at Camp Miasma | Heart of the Beast | Resident Evil | Fears for Queers: Ginger Snaps | 🎈We’re Going on a Bear Hunt & The Tiger Who Came to Tea

25th Sept - 9th Oct | The Ageing Well Brighton and Hove annual festival provides opportunities for people aged 50 and over to explore new experiences and meet new people. View Full Event Listings

🎈 Family friendly events

Great to have you follow the Scoop today. If you liked it, do share us with a friend. There’s a coffee on me if you spot me in town.