Good morning, Brighton…. can the weather hold this bank holiday or will it be another classic wash-out, take your bets… or don’t. Have a cracker either way :)

In today’s Brighton Scoop:

• National Children’s Gardening Week

• Airbnb-ye bye

• We big farewell to our our mayor

What’s the Scoop

National Children’s Gardening Week

🪴 National Children’s Gardening Week in the UK encourages children to delve into gardening, beautifully timed with the late May half-term. This week takes advantage of warmer weather (albeit the forecast for next week looks ominous), allowing young gardeners to quickly see the fruits of their efforts through the seeds they plant and care for. One Garden Brighton participates with a suite of engaging, hands-on activities intended to nurture a love for gardening and nature among children, whether they are first-timers or seasoned young gardeners.

👩‍🌾 Throughout the week (24 May – 1 June 2025), families can partake in a selection of activities including planting sessions and crafts, with the freedom to delve into chosen activities or simply enjoy the garden at their own pace. A free Nature Explorer Activity Booklet is available to keep children engaged with facts, challenges, and information about the local wildlife, trees, and plants, serving as an educational tool suitable for various exploring styles.

The initiative is poised to not only help children connect with the environment but to also foster a sense of achievement as they learn the journey of a plant from seed to full growth. The messy, fun process allows children to gain knowledge and enjoyment, revealing the wonders of gardening and the impact they can have on their surroundings.

For families unable to visit One Garden Brighton, there are ways to engage from any location, such as growing herbs on windowsills, starting seeds in household items like egg boxes, and creating bug hotels to attract wildlife. These activities foster connection with nature, and resources like the Nature Explorer booklet guide these gardening adventures, ensuring a broad participation across communities.

Airbnb-ye bye

🏨 🏖️ Brighton and Hove City Council is considering stricter regulations on Airbnb and similar short-term holiday lets. With housing shortages worsening, the council aims to utilize planning systems and introduce licenses for these lets.

The growth of Airbnb has reduced housing availability, driven up rents, and inflated property prices, while increasing strain on waste services. Concerns are also rising over unlicensed businesses evading business rates. Currently, around 2,000 to 6,000 properties are used for short-term lets in the area. Councillor Ollie Sykes highlights the scarcity of affordable rentals due to the proliferation of Airbnbs. The council's scrutiny committee suggests zones dedicated to holiday lets, similar to existing hotel zones, to manage their impact.

These proposals, part of the new City Plan for Brighton and Hove, will be discussed at the upcoming cabinet meeting, aiming to ensure compliance and mitigate housing market effects. The meeting will be webcast live from Hove Town Hall.

We bid farewell to our current mayor

🏢 👑 Current Brighton and Hove Mayor, Labour councillor Mohammed Asaduzzaman, is stepping down after a busy year, having attended 232 events to support various charities, including BHT Sussex and the Sussex Cricket Foundation. Notable events include commemorations of historical events and graduation ceremonies.

Amanda Grimshaw, currently Deputy Mayor, is set to succeed him as the city's first citizen, with Ty Galvin anticipated to become the new Deputy Mayor. The transition will occur at the annual council meeting at Hove Town Hall on May 22. Grimshaw will chair full council meetings while continuing her work as a ward councillor for Hangleton and Knoll. The meeting will be webcast, maintaining public accessibility.

Weather

Friday 23/5

🌤️ | 📈 16 | 📉 11 |☔️ <5% | 🌬️ SW 7mph | 🌊 <1ft

Saturday 24/5

🌧️ | 📈 16 | 📉 12 |☔️ 50% | 🌬️ WSW 13mph | 🌊 1-2ft

Sunday 25/5

☀️ | 📈 19 | 📉 9 |☔️ 20% | 🌬️ WSW 17mph | 🌊 4ft

Monday 26/5

🌤️ | 📈 17 | 📉 11 |☔️ 40% | 🌬️ SW 16mph | 🌊 2-3fr

Beautiful Brighton

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Brighton Festival & Fringe ‘25

There’s not a snowball’s chance in hell we could tackle the enormity of the schedule of events on for the Festival and Fringe this May so just follow the links below to their respective lists of the events for the most up to date info. Now chip off and find yourself something to see!

• Brighton Festival - What’s on

• Brighton Fringe - What’s on

What’s On

Friday 23/5

• Brighton Ballroom CMNTY | Daltons | 11.30pm

• Low Tickets: Brontide | Green Door Store | 7pm

Saturday 24/5

• Light Fantastic | Komedia | 2pm

• J.O.I | Komedia | 8pm

• Saddle Up: Line Dancing | Maggie Maes | 5.30pm

• Plant Sale | Circus Street | 11-2pm

Sunday 25/5

• The Bouji Brighton Bank Holiday Alldayer! | Patterns | 3pm | Book

Monday 26/5

• Susan Evans: Amuse-Bouche | Komedia | 2.30pm

Live Music

Friday 23/5

• Blue Door Music Presents | Daltons | 7pm

• that’s f***ing rubbish- blondie vs sabrina carpenter | Green Door Store | 11pm

• Club Tropicana | Maggie Maes | 7pm

• Andy the Dandy DJ | Mesmerist | 8pm

• Virgin Vinyls DJs | Bee’s Mouth (Upstairs Bar) | 9pm

• The Humbuckers | Bootlegger | 8.30pm

• The Welsh Boys | Brunswick Pub | 7pm

Saturday 24/5

• Sock (support from Cowz) | Alphabet | 8pm

• Alexandra Kay | Chalk | 6pm

• Doom By Th Sea | Daltons | 2pm

• Big Tree All-Dayer | Green Door Store | 2pm

• Is It Still 1985 | Green Door Store | 11pm

• Spellbound | Komedia | 9pm

• Let Me Be Your Fantasy – Over 30s Daytime Rave | Maggie Maes | 12pm

• Boybands v Girlbands | Maggie Maes | 1pm

• Future Flex All Night Long | Mesmerist | 4pm

• Legend Has It | Old Albion |

Sunday 25/5

• IKE & Dom Servini | Alphabet | 7pm

• Heavy 17 | Chalk | 6.30pm

• Slack Sunday | Daltons | 6pm

• Grease vs. Dirty Dancing Live Afternoon | Maggie Maes | 3pm

• Dessie Magee Acoustic Sunday Session | Mesmerist | 5pm

• Agenda Collective Zine Launch | Bee’s Mouth | 7pm

Monday 26/5

• Dead Dogs Presents | Daltons | 12pm

Cheers for popping by

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