Good morning, Brighton. The final few days of April are here so enjoy them before the city descends into the awesome chaos that is the Brighton Fringe & Festival. Get searching and get booking.

In today’s Brighton Scoop:

- Phil Reynolds

📮 Royal Mail delays in Brighton and Hove have left residents missing hospital appointments and losing money. Brighton Marina resident Mel Chan says a Christmas card posted in December 2025 only arrived last week, around four months late. Peter from Hove reports long-running problems since June last year: a guaranteed next-day tracked delivery containing vital house-purchase documents was held in a sorting office for days, delaying his move, and he was only refunded the postage. He says he also lost out financially when an urgent letter from his bank arrived three weeks late, causing him to miss an ISA deadline.

Royal Mail says around 92% of letters arrive on time and 99.4% within a week, and that very late items are rare, blaming occasional localised issues and Christmas mis-sorts.

🌿 Brighton & Hove residents are invited to join the City Nature Challenge for Brighton & Eastern Downs for its last day today (27 April), recording local plants and wildlife across The Living Coast UNESCO Biosphere via the iNaturalist app.

The area stretches from Worthing to Seaford and over the South Downs to Wivelsfield and Newick, with Brighton & Hove at its heart. Last year nearly 3,000 sightings were logged. Councillor Tim Rowkins says the data gives a vital snapshot of which species are thriving and where recovery is needed. Residents young and old can take part anywhere – from beach to back garden – and see live results online. It may be the last day but take a peek and see what you can find! More Info

🚌 Red Routes, enforced by CCTV in Preston/London Road and Lewes Road since April 2024, have sharply improved safety and air quality. 🥳 Road injuries across the three locations fell from 31 in the year before to 19 in the first year and 17 so far in the second, a reduction of 39% in year one and 48% so far in year two.

Brighton & Hove Buses reported an 85.7% drop in passenger injury incidents, while sensors show sustained reductions in nitrogen dioxide. The council says Red Routes have curbed anti-social parking, eased congestion and made roads safer which is excellent for all of us.

🍟 BeFries, the beloved Belgian chip shop once based on West Street, is back in Brighton five and a half years after its 2020 closure. Run by siblings Chan, Dashal and Ezda Beevers, the shop shot to number one on TripAdvisor within six months of opening in 2016 and stayed there until it shut.

In April this year they announced their return on social media, drawing huge support and long queues at their new mobile unit on the i360 terrace. The trio, who grew up eating Belgian fries in Holland, are thrilled that regulars have returned for their favourite sauces. Looking forward to swinging by later this week for the taste test. Follow their latest updates on Insta

☀️ | 📈 19° | 📉 8° | ☔️ <5% | 🌬️ NE 5mph | 🌊 <1ft

☀️ | 📈 15° | 📉 7° | ☔️ <5% | 🌬️ NE 14mph | 🌊 <1ft

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Speed Dating in Brighton | Ages 40-55 | Brighton Music Hall | Tuesday - 7.30pm | Book

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

RBO Encore: The Magic Flute | Michael | Fight Club (4K Re-release) | Rose of Nevada | Our Land & Q&A

Dukes at Komedia - Book

Michael | Rose of Nevada | Mother Mary | Exit 8 | Hokum

Great to have you follow the Scoop today. If you liked it, do share us with a friend. Virtual hugs all round.