Good morning, Brighton. The clean-up operation is still going on in places after Austen and Boele swept across the South of England. If want a good laugh, try and guess the next 24 storm names in alphabetical order (answers here). Good luck!

In today’s Brighton Scoop:

- Phil Reynolds

🏊🏽‍♂️ Brighton's first new publicly funded swimming pool in about 40 years is edging closer to reality. A final decision is due at December's Cabinet meeting.

The 5-lane, 25m community pool at Withdean Sports Complex won unanimous planning approval last year. Since then, resident feedback has led to a redesigned changing village. It now has family and communal cubicles, separate men's and women's cubicles, and accessible facilities.

There's a catch, though. Construction costs have risen because of the global economic crisis and the conflict in the Middle East. Cabinet members will be asked to top up the budget.

Councillor Alan Robins called it a "once in a generation opportunity". He pointed out that swimming is the city's most popular activity, and that a coastal city's children should learn to swim.

Plans for the pool were developed in response to the council’s Sports Facilities Investment Plan (SFIP) in a bid to meet the huge demand for more swimming facilities in the city.

🎄 Dobbies in Brighton is kicking off the festive season with its Christmas Charity Shopping Night on Thursday, November 26. All ticket sales and donations will go to Alzheimer's Research UK.

Tickets cost £1, £2.50 or £5 and are on sale in-store on the night or at dobbies.com. Each one comes with a free welcome drink, food sampling and entertainment from community groups.

Shoppers get vouchers on the night. They save £5 when they spend £25, or £10 when they spend £50. The evening also launches Dobbies' Black Friday offers, with live demonstrations and festive inspiration.

Event programme manager Hannah Stephen called it "a highlight in our calendar". She promised a fantastic atmosphere, with music and entertainment throughout.

❤️ Brighton & Hove has been crowned the second best UK city for dating yourself. A new study by Pour Moi gave it a score of 63.46 out of 100. York took the top spot with a hefty 96.57, so there's a bit of a gap to close.

The ranking looked at safety, plus opportunities for creative, indulgent and grounding experiences. Brighton earned praise for its vintage shops, independent cafes and entertainment venues, including the Palace Pier.

Pour Moi's lingerie buyer Emma Woodrow said solo dating is no longer just what happens when someone stands you up. She said the script has been switched, and people are now enjoying their own company and deepening their relationship with themselves. Good job we have three dating events today & tomorrow (see below).

🪏 A major heritage study is under way at Stanmer Park, Brighton & Hove's largest public space. It follows a successful Countryside Stewardship funding bid and a long collaboration between the council and Historic England.

Consultancy Stantec will lead the work. The team will use historical research, site walkovers, drone surveys and geophysical investigations to uncover traces of past activity. The park already boasts a Saxon settlement, a 1722 manor house and wartime links to a Canadian regiment. Researchers hope to find more, including Roman evidence and previously unrecorded features.

Councillor Alan Robins said there is "still so much more for us to discover and learn".

Findings will be shared in three updates and an interactive digital StoryMap. The results will also help guide future conservation of the estate.

🌤️ | 📈 16° | 📉 9° | ☔️ <5% | 🌬️ W 6mph | 🌊 1-2ft

🌤️ | 📈 15° | 📉 8° | ☔️ 10% | 🌬️ NE 3mph | 🌊 <1ft

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Cinemas 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

🎈Disney Junior Cinema Club 2026 | Ghosts: The Possession of Button House | Fatherland | Doc N Roll Film Festival Presents: Punk Brighton & Q&A

Dukes at Komedia - Book

Sense & Sensibility (2026) | 🎈Shaun The Sheep: Beast of Mossy Bottom | 🎈Wildwood | Naza | Ghosts: The Possession of Button House | I Love Boosters | 🎈Disney Junior Cinema Club 2026 | Digger | Hadestown The Musical | Radiohead X Nosferatu

🎈 Family friendly events

Great to have you follow the Scoop on this fine Wednesday. Share the Scoop love with your family, they’ll thank you forever.