Francesca Williams

Lunar-like craters on the Sussex seabed have been identified as nesting sites created by returning black sea bream. The species declined amid commercial fishing and bottom trawling, but a 2021 trawling ban across a large area of the Sussex coastline has been followed by signs of seabed recovery, including re-establishing mussel beds. The Fish Intel Network has tagged 55 bream to study their movements and habitats.

Brighton and Hove City Council plans to reconstruct and resurface Western Road between Holland Road and Montpelier Road from September 28, subject to final approvals. The work is expected to last about 45 days and will involve phased closures, deep excavation, drainage repairs and infrastructure improvements after significant structural deterioration was found. Proposed accompanying changes include a red route, 10 new loading bays providing 140 metres of loading space, and more disabled parking bays. The council says the measures will improve road safety, bus reliability and traffic flow, while acknowledging disruption for residents, businesses and transport operators.

A 38-year-old local man was arrested on suspicion of arson with intent to endanger life and assaulting an emergency worker after a fire in a ground-floor flat on Bayford Road, Littlehampton. Firefighters rescued one person and extinguished the blaze, while ambulance crews treated one patient before taking them to hospital. The investigation remains ongoing, and Sussex Police are seeking information from the public.

A 73-year-old man from Southampton was found dead near Salthill Road in Fishbourne at about 8:45 a.m. on August 18. Sussex Police said the death was not being treated as suspicious, confirmed that next of kin had been informed, and prepared a report for HM Coroner.

Ninety-year-old Hove resident Gloria Parks is urging Brighton and Hove City Council to introduce Mobi Mats, portable roll-out walkways that would make the pebble beach and shoreline more accessible to wheelchair users and people with walking difficulties. Parks, who can no longer reach the sea because of the beach’s steep slope and pebbles, believes improved access would help older residents stay active and enjoy sea swimming. Councillor Jacob Allen said the council is committed to improving seafront accessibility, cited existing projects including an accessible lift and boardwalk access at Saltdean, and said it would consider making mobile mats available.

Steve Jones, managing director of Brighton venues R-Bar and Revenge, says the closure of R-Bar on September 20, following the announced closure of Charles Street Tap, demonstrates a crisis in the city’s LGBTQ+ nightlife. He attributes the pressures to rising taxes, employment costs, business rates, energy bills, rent, safety concerns and deteriorating conditions in parts of the city. Jones is calling for stronger support from local authorities and police, safer St James’s Street and Kemp Town, year-round promotion of Brighton’s LGBTQ+ scene, a more supportive licensing system and a plan to revive the city’s evening and overnight economy. MP Chris Ward has also said more must be done to protect the night-time economy.

Two passengers seriously injured when a Southern Railway train derailed near Lewes on August 13 remain in hospital, while 18 other hospitalized passengers have been discharged. British Transport Police declared a major incident and is continuing its work alongside railway authorities. MPs James MacCleary and Josh Babarinde met Rail Minister Lord Hendy, Network Rail and Govia Thameslink Railway representatives to discuss passenger safety, staff welfare, communication and infrastructure investment. The line between Lewes and Haywards Heath remains closed, with replacement buses operating and major disruption expected for at least another ten days while the train is removed and damage is assessed.

White Vanguard cancelled a planned far-right march in Brighton after citing concerns about public safety. The group had intended to march from Brighton Palace Pier to Brighton Town Hall on August 22, but the pier said it had not sanctioned the event and would not allow it to begin there. Stand Up To Racism planned a counter-demonstration and said it would proceed because far-right activists might still attend.

Maternity services at the Princess Royal Hospital in Haywards Heath and St Richard’s Hospital in Chichester have again been rated “requires improvement” by the Care Quality Commission, five years after receiving the same rating. Inspectors found insufficient staffing, workforce burnout and repeated equipment failures that disrupted planned caesarean sections, although they also reported that care was often compassionate and respectful. Kimberley Newark and Yann Trupiano, whose daughter Olivia died after a severe birth injury in 2024, said the unchanged rating was heartbreaking and called for patients and families to be listened to. The University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust expressed sympathy, accepted that more improvement is needed and cited increased theatre capacity, staffing and safety monitoring. An independent government-commissioned review led by Donna Ockenden will examine more than 1,000 cases dating back to 2018, while the CQC has required the trust to submit an action plan.

Far-right group White Vanguard planned a march from Brighton Palace Pier to Brighton Town Hall on August 22, citing three alleged sexual assaults in the city. Stand Up To Racism announced a counter-demonstration earlier that day. The planned protests followed police investigations into three separate alleged rape incidents, including one arrest and charges against Hany Mohamed and Akiyas Jameldeen.

Netpol published a 49-page report alleging that Sussex Police used excessive force and mishandled crowds during Brighton protests on June 13 involving the South East Patriots’ anti-immigration march and the Carnival Against Fascism counter-protest. Protesters reported being crushed, pepper-sprayed and injured, while Councillor Marina Lademacher called on council leader Bella Sankey and Labour to condemn the alleged violence. Sussex Police said the claims were serious, requested evidence from Netpol and stated that no direct complaints had been made; it maintained that incapacitant spray was used to prevent disorder and that officers would face no disciplinary action.

Gourmet Burger Kitchen has permanently closed its restaurant on Gardner Street at Brighton's Komedia, with its signage removed and a closure notice displayed. The branch was part of a national chain founded in 2001 that closed 17 sites during a 2018 restructuring, was rescued from administration by Boparan Restaurant Group in 2020, and later saw 12 sites reportedly acquired by Honest Burger.

Pop Mart is set to open its first Sussex store in Brighton’s Churchill Square, occupying the former H&M Kids unit. The opening date has not been announced. The store follows the launch of a Pop Mart Robo Shop vending machine at The Entertainer and will sell the brand’s collectible blind-box toys, including its popular Labubu dolls.

R-Bar in Brighton is due to close on September 20 after 21 years, citing rising operating costs, business rates and the cost of living. Its managing director, Steve Jones, says the closure, coming days after neighbouring LGBTQ+ venue Charles Street Tap announced its own closure, highlights a crisis facing Brighton’s LGBTQ+ nightlife. Jones argues that venues receive insufficient year-round support outside Pride, while safety problems, drug use, antisocial behaviour and unaddressed hate crime have made areas such as St James’s Street less welcoming. He plans to work with Brighton and Hove City Council, while MP Chris Ward is expected to raise the concerns in Parliament and with ministers. R-Bar will hold closing events before shutting.

R-Bar on Brighton’s Marine Parade will close at the end of September, citing rising operating costs, business rates and the cost-of-living crisis. The announcement follows the planned closure of neighbouring Charles Street Tap after 25 years. Brighton & Hove City Council leader Bella Sankey called the loss of two LGBTQI+ venues heartbreaking and said the council would support the city’s cultural and night-time economy. She highlighted a new licensing policy, lobbying for business-rates relief and a forthcoming night-time economy strategy intended to help safeguard remaining venues.

Peggy, a cat who disappeared from her new home in Lancing more than three years ago, has been reunited with her owners after being identified through her microchip. Her sister Pat returned after 30 days, but Peggy remained missing until she was found safe and apparently well cared for. Lost Cats Brighton highlighted the importance of microchipping, promoted its missing-cat register and appealed for information about other missing cats, including Artemis and Cody.

The Environment Agency has removed Silica Developments’ waste exemption after finding that activities at its glass recycling facility at Shoreham Port no longer met regulatory requirements. The operator must immediately stop storing, accepting or handling waste. The decision follows recurring fly infestations affecting residents and businesses in Portslade and the Wish area. Shoreham Port and Brighton and Hove City Council are working with the Environment Agency, while the council has issued a Community Protection Warning and is pursuing arrangements for material remaining on the site. Residents and businesses say the infestation has caused serious disruption, including closures and takeaway-only operations.

Music with Mike owner Mike Hayhurst plans to leave Yellowave on Brighton’s Madeira Drive after a sharp increase in seafront parking charges caused some customers to stop attending and others to struggle to find spaces. Brighton & Hove City Council raised the hourly fee from £1.60 to £5.70 before reducing it to £2.90 following complaints and a petition. Hayhurst says the reduction came too late to prevent damage to the business and is seeking a more affordable venue, while councillor Trevor Muten defended the council’s investment in the seafront and offered to discuss the concerns.

A family staying at Butlin’s in Bognor Regis said they found a cockroach in their room and experienced repeated delays and communication failures when seeking help. James Freeman said his partner and daughter were locked out of the room and waited outside for three hours, further disrupting their holiday. Butlin’s said an inspection found no evidence of a wider pest problem, apologised for delays in resolving the accommodation issues, and said it had responded to Freeman and offered a goodwill gesture.

British Transport Police are seeking a man who may have information about the reported serious sexual assault of a 15-year-old girl on a train traveling to London Victoria on August 5. The suspect reportedly left the train at Gatwick Airport station. Police have released a CCTV image and asked witnesses or anyone who recognizes the man to contact them, quoting reference 469 of 05/08/26.

Brighton content creator Imogen Horton said council refuse-collection workers catcalled and heckled her while she was walking with her three children. She described the incident as distressing and said she confronted the men to model boundaries for her daughters. Brighton & Hove City Council said it had contacted Horton, was taking the complaint seriously and would investigate, adding that harassment and misogyny are not tolerated.

Hany Mohamed, 37, of no fixed address, was charged with rape and common assault after a woman reported being raped at a flat on High Street in Brighton between July 29 and 30. Sussex Police said the victim is receiving specialist support and that Mohamed was remanded in custody following a hearing at Brighton Magistrates' Court. His next hearing was scheduled for September 1.

Extreme weather has reportedly produced Sussex’s worst harvest in years, with a wet winter followed by drought leaving wheat unusually short and making some crops uneconomic to harvest. Tim Bamford of CLA South East said this was the third drought in five years and called for government planning to address increasingly frequent extremes and simplify controlled-burning licences. Recent wildfires in Sussex have heightened concerns, prompting fire and rescue officials to advise against disposable barbecues, littering and improperly extinguished smoking materials.

A Brighton Pride attendee with a hidden disability reported that several accessible toilets at Preston Park were overflowing, blocked, littered and missing working locks, forcing her to leave the festival early. Brighton & Hove Pride apologised, said the toilets had been monitored and that security staff had RADAR keys, and promised to investigate the incident and prevent a recurrence. The organisation said the festival provided 22 accessible toilets alongside other accessibility facilities, including an Access Hub and a high-dependency unit toilet.

A three-year-old boy was seriously injured after being involved in a collision with a van at Red House Farm campsite on Bookers Lane in Earnley, near Chichester. Emergency services, including an air ambulance, attended the scene at around 7:30 p.m. on August 1. The child was taken to hospital, and Sussex Police are investigating the circumstances; no arrests have been made.

Brighton and Hove Pride 2026 began at Preston Park with a two-day Pride on the Park festival supporting local LGBTQ+ community groups. Raye headlined the first day, expressing gratitude for the community’s support, while Moonchild Sanelly, Self Esteem, G Flip, Jessie J and Leigh-Anne also performed. RuPaul provided an hour-long DJ set featuring their own music, popular party tracks and a remix of Whitney Houston’s “It’s Not Right but It’s Okay.”

Brighton and Hove Pride’s 35th anniversary celebrations began with a community parade from Hove Lawns through Brighton and Hove, featuring charities, local organizations, performances and messages supporting LGBTQIA+ visibility and continued activism. Events continued with the Pride Street Party and the Pride on the Park festival at Preston Park, where organizers introduced new queueing and entry measures after problems at the previous year’s event. Performances included sets from RuPaul, Jessie J, Leigh-Anne, Moonchild Sanelly and Raye, whose headline show with a live orchestra brought the first day to a close.

Food prices at Brighton Pride on the Park range from £7 for chips and £10 for a vegetarian hot dog to £15.50 for a chicken burrito with optional cheese or guacamole. Cheeseburgers cost £13, chicken nuggets with chips £15, hot dogs £12, standard mac and cheese £12, and topped mac and cheese £15. The festival also offers vegetarian and vegan choices including £12 falafel or halloumi wraps.

RuPaul performed an hour-long DJ set at Brighton Pride on the Park, opening with “Cover Girl” and playing familiar dance tracks including “Respect,” “Be Right There” and “My Neck, My Back.” Although the review questions how much live mixing took place, RuPaul energized the crowd with dancing, runway-style movement and a performance of the recognizable “If you don’t love yourself” phrase. The set ended with a remix of Whitney Houston’s “It’s Not Right but It’s Okay,” and was judged camp, energetic and thoroughly enjoyable.

Residents living near Brighton & Hove Pride’s Marine Parade street party have criticised organisers over discounted rather than free tickets, limited notice of road closures and confusion about wristbands required for access. One resident called the ticket offer insulting, while Graham Chainey said the access letter provided unclear instructions and that the listed helpline was not working. Brighton & Hove Pride said residents within the event footprint are entitled to free wristbands, that distribution is being prioritised, and that security staff will conduct resident checks. The street party will run on Marine Parade during Pride weekend, with music, drag performances and bars, while St James’s Street remains outside the official event zone.

Brighton and Hove Pride organisers have introduced changes after attendees faced long queues and disorder at last year’s event. Measures for the Pride on the Park festival include a redesigned gate layout, dynamic queue lanes, more gate staff, longer Saturday opening hours, on-site lockers and clearer signage. The event will take place at Preston Park on August 1 and 2, alongside the annual parade themed “the power of love”.

Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds are scheduled to perform a sold-out concert at Brighton’s Preston Park, with gates opening at 1pm and the main performance running from 7:30pm to 10pm. The event will feature several supporting acts, food and drink stalls, merchandise and other entertainment. Attendees are advised to arrive early because of queues, observe an A4 bag-size limit and use available coach, taxi and park-and-ride options. Rail services at London Road and Preston Park stations will be suspended during the concert weekend, while extensive road closures will affect the surrounding area.

Brighton and Hove Pride 2026 will take place on August 1 and 2, marking the event’s 35th year. The programme includes a community parade themed “the power of love,” a street party on Marine Parade and a two-day festival at Preston Park featuring Raye, Diana Ross, Jessie J, RuPaul, Paris Hilton and others. Extensive road closures, train-station closures, rail crowd-management measures and bus diversions are planned. Police, medical teams, welfare spaces and city council advice will support attendee safety throughout the weekend.

The Care Quality Commission has rated maternity services at St Richard’s Hospital in Chichester and Princess Royal Hospital in Haywards Heath as requiring improvement, particularly in safety and leadership. Inspectors identified problems including delayed assessments and medication, inadequate bereavement-suite separation, unresolved incidents, insufficient early maternity access, staffing and safeguarding concerns, and theatre failures that delayed caesarean sections. Both hospitals also received positive feedback for compassionate staff, bereavement and mental-health support, and involving partners in care. University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust must submit an action plan and says it has increased theatre capacity and staffing, improved safety monitoring, and updated clinical guidance.

Brighton and Hove City Council has announced extensive road closures for Brighton Pride 2026, covering routes around Preston Park, London Road, the city centre and the Marine Parade and St James’s Street areas. Closures run from Thursday, July 30 through Monday, August 3, with timings varying for the community parade, Pride Street Party, Pride on the Park and a Nick Cave concert. Some restrictions may change according to crowd movement.

Sussex Police said armed officers will be deployed alongside uniformed, plain-clothed and specialist teams at Brighton and Hove Pride, describing firearms officers as standard practice for events of this scale. The force said the operation had been planned for months with organisers and partner agencies, following an attack at Berlin’s Pride festival that killed one person and injured at least 29. Thousands are expected at Brighton Pride’s 35th-anniversary celebrations, beginning with the August 1 community parade themed “the power of love.”

The Hangout Group, a Brighton-based community interest company founded by five performers, is raising £100,000 to buy and transform the long-empty St Patrick’s Church in Hove. The proposed space would include aerial-training facilities, studios, a café, classes, performances, events and an indoor cinema. More than 500 people have responded to the group’s survey, and a public fundraising event is planned at Hove Lawns.

East Sussex County Council has suspended its universal summer food voucher scheme for children eligible for free school meals after the government’s Household Support Fund was replaced by a Crisis and Resilience Fund. Reform council leader Andy Woolley said the new fund is intended for households facing immediate hardship and longer-term financial insecurity, while Labour MP Helena Dollimore accused the council of making a political decision that could leave hundreds of children without support during the summer. Liberal Democrat councillors also criticized the lack of an impact assessment and poor communication, noting that neighboring authorities, including Kent, have retained targeted holiday voucher schemes.

Surrey Police firearms officer Jake Mullarkey was found guilty of stalking after placing a tracker in his former partner’s car and checking its location more than 600 times. District Judge Teresa Szagun rejected his claim that the device was installed for safety reasons. Mullarkey received a restraining order, 15 rehabilitation activity requirement days and 150 hours of unpaid work. Surrey Police will hold accelerated misconduct proceedings to determine whether he breached professional standards.

A man from East Grinstead was arrested on suspicion of drink‑driving, uninsured driving and possessing an offensive weapon following a collision involving a Ford and a Mercedes near Gatwick Airport. Emergency services attended the scene at the Beehive Ring Road and Gatwick Road junctions. The suspect was bailed pending further enquiries, and Sussex Police are seeking witnesses, particularly the drivers of three vehicles seen nearby.

Two men were given suspended prison sentences for wounding Cameron Devlin during a 2019 street assault in Brighton after a jury determined they were not responsible for his subsequent death from sepsis. The investigation spanned six years, leading to initial murder charges that did not result in conviction. Authorities expressed condolences to Devlin’s family and acknowledged the extensive investigative work involved.

A major fire broke out at the disused Convent of the Holy Child Jesus in St Leonards, prompting an emergency response involving eight fire engines and continued hotspot work. Police are treating the incident as arson and have arrested two local teenage boys. MP Helena Dollimore criticised the company responsible for securing the site and urged Hastings Borough Council to ensure stronger protections for the heritage property. The Grade II* listed chapel was not damaged, and authorities have asked the public for information as investigations continue.

A pub in Arundel was spray‑painted with hostile messages, prompting the operator Fuller, Smith and Turner to work with Sussex Police to identify the perpetrator. The company stated it was unsure of the motive and urged the vandal to stop, while continuing normal operations at the venue.

Prince William visited Hastings, arriving by funicular to meet crowds and encourage children to stay cool in the heat. He played mini golf with local enthusiasts, spoke with fishermen about declining catches caused by warmer seas and overfishing, and learned about the effects of a marine heatwave. He received local gifts, including a silver winkle from the Winkle Club, and toured community initiatives run by Hastings Commons, where he spoke with young people about safe social spaces and social media use.

Jury members viewed footage showing a 16-year-old defendant running after and later fatally stabbing Joshua Ingram at Seaford railway station. The teenager denies murder but admits manslaughter and faces additional conspiracy charges alongside two other youths, one of whom has admitted assisting an offender. Video evidence traces the sequence from the confrontation to the defendant’s disposal of the knife and clothing. The trial is ongoing.

A highways worker died after being struck by a van on the southbound M23 near Junction 9 shortly before 1 a.m. on July 8. The driver, Vilius Domarkas, has been charged with causing death by dangerous driving and was remanded in custody following his appearance at Crawley Magistrates’ Court, with a further hearing set for August 6 at Lewes Crown Court. Police are supporting the victim’s family and appealing for witnesses and dashcam footage as the investigation continues.

Testimony at Hove Crown Court described how 16-year-old Joshua Ingram was fatally stabbed at Seaford railway station over a £20 drug debt. A friend recounted that the accused, also 16, approached without speaking and stabbed Ingram with a 19cm knife. The defendant denies murder and conspiracy to commit GBH with intent, though he has pleaded guilty to manslaughter. Two other teenagers also face related conspiracy charges. The trial continues.

A former Worthing dentist, Fariba Shameli, was found guilty in absentia of submitting more than 1,000 fraudulent NHS claims valued at £92,511 between 2013 and 2018. Evidence presented at Hove Crown Court showed she charged for treatments not performed, claimed NHS payments for privately funded work, and manipulated records to increase payouts. The Crown Prosecution Service identified the fraud as deliberate and financially motivated. A warrant has been issued for her arrest, and confiscation proceedings are underway to recover profits under the Proceeds of Crime Act.

Police are appealing for information after six men threatened a victim and stole his car and watch in Collingwood Close, Eastbourne. The suspects arrived in a dark Vauxhall Corsa–shaped vehicle before fleeing with the stolen items. Investigators believe men captured on CCTV near Joy Bar on Bolton Road may be linked to the incident and are seeking assistance from anyone who can identify them or provide relevant footage. Reports can be submitted online or by calling Sussex Police.

A six-year investigation into the 2019 assault of Cameron Devlin in Brighton concluded with a jury finding Oliver Priddle and Niraj Amaidas guilty of wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm. Devlin died days after the attack due to complications from his injuries. The Crown Prosecution Service authorised charges in 2025, and following a four‑week trial at Brighton Crown Court, both men were convicted. Police highlighted the complexity of the case and the lengthy wait for Devlin’s family ahead of sentencing scheduled for July 10.

The reviewer samples Wahaca’s new summer menu in Brighton, highlighting refreshing spritz drinks and a variety of small plates including tuna tostadas, hibiscus chicken wings, and crispy potato esquites. Desserts such as churros with caramel sauce and an ice cream sundae also receive praise. The menu is described as fresh, vibrant, and well-suited to warm weather, offering options for both light bites and more indulgent choices.

A new graffiti artwork in Adelaide Crescent, Brighton, resembling Banksy’s style, prompted public speculation about its authenticity, but a representative for Banksy confirmed it is not his work. Social media users largely agreed it appeared unlikely to be genuine. Banksy has not posted the piece on Instagram, his usual method of verification. The article also notes past speculation about the artist’s identity and mentions his most recently confirmed work in London.

A coroner identified serious failures in the care of Amy Clare Chapman, who died after being allowed to leave Mill View Hospital’s Haven Unit unsupervised. The inquest found inadequate record‑keeping, lack of a proper care plan, and insufficient family involvement, amounting to neglect. The Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust acknowledged the failures and outlined new procedures, training, and family‑involvement measures. Chapman's family criticised the communication and monitoring failures and urged improvements to prevent similar cases.

A Brighton man credits NHS staff at the Royal Sussex County Hospital for saving his life after being diagnosed with infective endocarditis that required urgent open-heart surgery. He praised doctors and nurses for their rapid action, support and professionalism, noting that the infection was more severe than initially expected. Now recovering well, he highlighted the value of free healthcare and encouraged greater appreciation of the NHS and its work.

Emergency services responded to two people in difficulty near Brighton’s Palace Pier around 9:30pm on June 28. Members of the public helped recover a man and a woman from the water before emergency crews arrived. Both were treated at the scene and taken to hospital, with HM Coastguard, RNLI, Sussex Police and ambulance teams involved in the response.

Fatboy Slim performed an intimate, sold-out show at Brighton’s 60-capacity venue The Pipeline, emphasizing the importance of supporting grassroots music spaces. The event closed the Everywhere At Once festival, which highlighted the need for local live music options and broader government support for small venues. Music Venue Properties is considering purchasing The Pipeline to secure its future through community ownership, while the Music Venue Trust continues efforts to protect cultural sites nationwide.

Brighton and Hove City Council’s £65 million plans to replace Hove’s King Alfred Leisure Centre were approved by the planning committee after a five-and-a-half-hour meeting, with eight votes in favour and one against. The proposal includes a larger gym, pools, a six-court sports hall, community facilities, a café, children’s water-play features and a multi-level soft-play area. More than 600 objections were submitted over the design, heritage loss, reduced or altered leisure provision and the potential sale of part of the site for housing, while 49 representations supported the scheme. The project’s budget has risen from £47.4 million to £65 million and is expected to involve council borrowing and housing-sale proceeds. The Secretary of State has 21 days after receiving the decision to determine whether to call in the application.