Good morning, Brighton… how’s it going? A sporty, beachy round-up today but still plenty of music & comedy at the bottom to wet your appetite.

In today’s Brighton Scoop:

• Hats Off to Sea Lanes

• On The Beach Kicks Off

• £7m for New Withdean Pool Agreed

What’s the Scoop

Hats Off to Sea Lanes

🏊🏼‍♀️ The fab team from Sea Lanes Brighton were announced as the new operator of Hilsea Lido in Portsmouth, partnering with South Downs Leisure. Backed by Portsmouth City Council, it is set to reopen in autumn after a £7.6m regeneration, marking its 90th anniversary. Sea Lanes' director, Harry Smith, expressed excitement about transforming the Lido into a vibrant community hub, emphasising its significance for local wellbeing. Renovations are ongoing, including enhancements like a sauna and pop-up food offerings. Council leader Steve Pitt highlighted the partnership as a major milestone for the area. The Lido's opening date will be finalised soon. As a regular swimmer at the Brighton Sea Lanes, I see what a great job they’ve done there so we wih them well with the Hilsea project.

On The Beach Kicks Off

👨🏻‍🎤 On The Beach festival began on July 18, featuring Brighton-based DJ Bonobo and special guest Sammy Virji. The seven-day event spans two weekends at Brighton Beach, with an area closed off for the festival. It includes performances from artists like The Human League, Kaiser Chiefs, and Bloc Party. Described as “unlike any other,” the festival combines world-class music with Brighton's shoreline. In its fifth year, On The Beach previously hosted Fat Boy Slim and others. Swedish DJ Eric Prydz is set to perform next. We’re very much looking forward to The Killers Sunday evening. Come on sunshine!! Tickets still available here - Book

£7m for New Withdean Pool Agreed

🏊 Brighton and Hove City Council has approved a £7 million project to build a new five-lane, 25-meter swimming pool at Withdean Sports Complex. With strong demand for swimming facilities, Labour councillor Alan Robins emphasised the importance of access to swimming for community health and tackling inequalities. Despite tight finances, deputy leader Jacob Taylor noted that revenues from pool usage would help repay the £6.5 million borrowed for the project. The planning application is underway, with construction expected to begin early next year.

Meanwhile, feasibility work for a new pool in east Brighton and plans for the King Alfred replacement continue (much needed IMO). The Withdean pool is much needed and will serve thousands who live in the area. Well done BHCC.

Local Biz

New Mediterranean Kitchen A Table in St James’s Street Now Open

Weather

Monday 21/7

🌤️ | 📈 22 | 📉 15 |☔️ 40% | 🌬️ WSW 16mph | 🌊 2-3ft

Tuesday 22/7

🌤️ | 📈 22 | 📉 15 |☔️ 50% | 🌬️ WSW 14mph | 🌊 2-3ft

Beautiful Brighton

Be sure to tag us @brightonscoop to get your photos featured

Summer Festivals ‘25

The Brighton Festival and Fringe may be over but we have plenty of other festivals on the way over the coming months in and around Brighton & Hove. We’ll keep this little section in for the next few months and update it every week. Be sure to check back people.

• 🎾 Trilogy Rackets Festival | Hove Beach Park | 21-27 July | Book

• 🎸 On The Beach | The Beach | 23rd,25th - 27th July | Book

• 🍸 Gin & Rum Festival | The Grand | 26th July | Book

• ☕️ Brighton Coffee Festival | All Saints Church | 9th & 10th August | Book

• 🍹 Brighton Cocktail Festival | 40 Bars Across Town | 19th-28th Sept | Book

What’s On

Monday 21/7

• Sharon Wanjohi and Thor Stenhaug | Komedia | 7.30pm

• Stephen Merchant: Work In Progress | The Forge | 8pm

Tuesday 22/7

• Eli Matthewson & Becky Umbers | Komedia | 7.30pm

• Life Drawing - The Brighton Arts Social | Bee’s Mouth

• Euros - Women’s Semi-Final | Setting Sun | 8pm

• Stephen Merchant: Work In Progress | The Forge | 8pm

• Ed’s Comedy Club Tuesdays | Presuming Ed’s | 8pm

Live Music

Monday 21/7

• Wet Leg Launch Show | Chalk | 5-7pm/8-10pm

• Black Cat Presents | Daltons | 7pm

• Live Jazz | Bee’s Mouth | 9pm

• Blue Lion Band | Brunswick Cellar | 8pm

• Open Mic Night | Brunswick | 8pm

• Edging + Ruckus + Spike My Heart + Sunlifter + Tunguska | Hope & Ruin | 7.30pm

• COB + Wehmut + LEEROY SALMON + LEON'S COMET | Prince Albert | 7pm

Tuesday 22/7

• Nip Snip | Daltons | 6pm

• Droop Green Door Store | 7pm

• Moon Letters (Seattle) w/ LAMIIA + More TBA | Brunswick Cellar | 7.30pm

• Jazz Jam | Brunswick | 8pm

• Quest | Folklore Rooms | 7.30pm

• Tuesday Sessions | Yellow Boor Bar | 8pm

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.