Good morning, Brighton. The weekend is here and a sigh of relief can be released…. ahh. Cracking on, May 8th is famous as Victory in Europe (VE) Day (1945), marking the end of World War II in Europe 🥳 We give a nod to all those involved.

In today’s Brighton Scoop:

- Phil Reynolds

⚡️ B&H councillors will consider a 20‑year Electric Vehicle (EV) Charging Plan aiming to create an inclusive, affordable and future‑proof public charging network. The strategy, shaped by over 500 consultation responses, focuses on helping residents and businesses switch to EVs, expanding accessible charging for all users and supporting the city’s Net Zero goals.

There are already 500+ charge-points across the city; this is set to rise to over 6,000 by 2040, with 1,650 in the next three years, funded in part by £2.8m from the DfT’s LEVI fund. A pilot will install around 200 pavement gullies so households without driveways can safely run cables across pavements, initially targeting Blue Badge holders and taxi drivers. Full details of EV presentation to the cabinet.

⚽️ Albion are recruiting new performers to take on the Gully and Sally mascot roles from the 2026–27 season. The successful applicants will be high‑energy entertainers, acting as club ambassadors rather than just costume wearers, performing in front of more than 30,000 fans at the Amex and at WSL games in Crawley.

The roles pay £14 per hour and cover all home match-days, mostly weekends and evenings, plus additional events around Sussex. Candidates should be outgoing, creative and confident with children, ideally with experience as a mascot or performer, though this isn’t essential. Gully and Sally remain hugely popular with younger supporters and are central to Albion’s aim of combining top‑level football with strong Sussex community spirit. More details

💡 The first of five restored Grade II-listed heritage streetlights has been reinstalled on Brighton seafront near the Palace Pier, with the remaining four due back in the coming weeks. The cast-iron columns and decorative brackets were repaired, recast and structurally upgraded by Cast Iron Welding Services, while CU Phosco created new lanterns to original designs, using modern engineering.

The lanterns feature durable coatings, extensive salt-spray testing and energy‑efficient LEDs that replicate the original look, designed to withstand harsh coastal conditions and cut maintenance. Approved by Historic England, the project aims to preserve the seafront’s historic character while renewing its infrastructure. Councillor Birgit Miller praised the “stunning” craftsmanship and said the work forms part of wider efforts to restore the city’s seafront. The multi‑year restoration, costing about £4 million, is funded through the council’s Carbon Neutral Fund, capital funding and leftover LED upgrade money.

🌤️ | 📈 18° | 📉 10° | ☔️ 5% | 🌬️ SE 8mph | 🌊 <1ft

☁️ | 📈 21° | 📉 10° | ☔️ 30% | 🌬️ E 10mph | 🌊 <1ft

☁️ | 📈 17° | 📉 6° | ☔️ 30% | 🌬️ NE 18mph | 🌊 <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

The Sheep Detectives | Devil Wears Prada 2 | Wicked | Iron Maiden: Burning Ambition | Duke of Yorks Tours | Dog Friendly Screening: Devil Wears Prada 2

Dukes at Komedia - Book

Devil Wears Prada 2 | Our Land | Michael | Billie Eilish: Hit Me Hard & Soft The Tour | Rocker Brella Fellla & Time Vine Q&A | Rose of Nevada | Project Hail Mary | Hokum | The Christophers - Preview & Recorded Q&A | Barry Lyndon (50th Anniversary) |

🎭 There’s not a snowball’s chance we could include the full schedule of Festival, Fringe & Open Houses events in The Scoop for the whole of May so we’ll add our 🔥 hot picks 🔥 each newsletter and you can peruse the every listing on their respective websites. Now be gone with you and go find something excellent to watch.

20 Saunas | Day & Night Sessions | 29-31st May | Banjo Groyne | Rob Da Bank | Book

Great to have you follow the Scoop today. Having a cracking weekend and I’ll catch you Monday bright and early.