Good morning, Brighton. The World Cup is over… that is all.
In today’s Brighton Scoop:
Matt Haig to open Brighton bookshop
B&H boundary to expand under reorganisation
- Phil Reynolds
What’s the Scoop
Matt Haig to open Brighton bookshop
📚 Matt Haig, bestselling author of The Midnight Library and Reasons to Stay Alive, is launching a bookshop called Golden in Brighton's Seven Dials neighbourhood by Christmas—filling a gap in the community.
Haig believes every neighbourhood deserves a bookshop, describing them as civilisation-savers. The shop will stock curated titles spanning mind-bending fiction, banned books, graphic novels, children's literature, and even vinyl records—with zero genre snobbery or pretension.
"No stuffy vibes," Haig promised on Instagram. The space will host occasional evening events and welcomes dogs. The prolific Sheffield-born author has written over two dozen books exploring themes of mental health and human resilience. Read more from Matt Haig on the new bookshop.
It's a delightfully wholesome move from someone who's made a career of reminding us why reading matters.
B&H boundary to expand under reorganisation
📍 The UK government has confirmed the creation of a new local authority merging Brighton & Hove, East Saltdean, Telscombe, and Peacehaven. This new body will take formal responsibility for all services on 1 April 2028 (Vesting Day). Until then, existing councils will continue providing services as usual to ensure a smooth transition.
A shadow council, to be elected in May 2027, will oversee the new entity’s formation. Its responsibilities include establishing governance, approving budgets, and ensuring the seamless transfer of services. View map of expansion
Existing council members will remain in their current roles until April 2028 and are eligible to stand for the shadow council in 2027.
Key dates:
Autumn 2026: Structural Changes Order laid in Parliament.
May 2027: Election of the new shadow council.
1 April 2028: Vesting Day; the new authority formally assumes control.
Existing council members will remain in their current roles until April 2028 and are eligible to stand for the shadow council in 2027.
Weather
Monday 20/7
☀️ | 📈 22° | 📉 14° | ☔️ <5% | 🌬️ NE 7mph | 🌊 <1ft
Tuesday 21/7
🌤️ | 📈 22° | 📉 16° | ☔️ <5% | 🌬️ E 7mph | 🌊 <1ft
Beautiful Brighton
Be sure to tag us @brightonscoop to get your photos featured
Local Cinema
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 Odyssey | The Odyssey (35mm)
Dukes at Komedia - Book
🎈Toy Story 5 | The Invite | The Odyssey | Brunello: The Gracious Visionary
Hammerdown Festival - 24th - 26th July, Worthing. 10 Years of rock & metal
What’s On & Community Fun
🎈 Family friendly events
Monday 20/7
PRETTY AND PETTY: TRANS PRIDE EDITION 🏳️⚧️ | The Walrus | 7.30pm | Info
Pub Quiz | Lion & Lobster | 8pm | Book Table
PPT Pub Quiz | Preston Park Tavern | 8pm
Tuesday 21/7
🎈Imagination Walk | One Garden | 9.45-10.30am | £7 | Book
Chris Grace: 88% | Komedia | 7.30pm | Book
La Glorieta de Brighton : Social Tango | Bandstand | 7pm | Info
See You Next Tuesday! Open Mic Night | Secret Comedy Club | 8pm | Info
Oui Creperie Van | Loder Road | 3 - 6.30pm
Pub Quiz | Foundry | 7.30pm
Live Music
Monday 20/7
Tuesday 21/7
Run Talk Run Brighton and Hove | King Alfred | 6.30pm | Register
Jay Buchanan | Komedia | 8pm | Book
Rainbow Rhythems Open Mic | Walrus | 8pm | Info
Bat Sabbath | Concorde 2 | 7.30pm | Book
NOT COPING + WRESTLESS + WILTING FLOWER + RUNNER DEVOLVER | Daltons | 7.30pm | Info
Far Darrig | Green Door Store | 7.30pm | Free | Book
Mesmerist Open Mic Night - Hosted by Christian Cooley | 8.30pm | Info
Missing 7ths Brighton Debut! | Brunswick | 7.30pm | Info
Jazz Jam | Brunswick | 8pm | Book
Cheers for popping by
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