Brighton & Hove is a great place to do business. Located within an easy train journey of central London, the city is home to thriving media, creative, technology and financial sectors. Each month we bring you the stories that caught our eye!
If you’d like to Talk Tourism on brightonvisitor.com or in our monthly Brighton Visitor magazine then please call Nick Mosley on 01273 77 00 44.
Brighton has a huge range of spaces suitable for conferencing and exhibitions, and we’re a city with the experience to professionally host any event too. If you’d like independent information on conferencing, events or incentives then call us direct on 01273 770044.
Brighton Centre
The Brighton Centre is the south coasts premier venue for conferences and events. Offers a wide range of spaces including the huge Main Hall.
Conference enquiries: 01273 292 671 • www.brightoncentre.co.uk
Hilton Brighton Metropole
The south’s largest residential conference facility with 28 meeting rooms and 334 guest bedrooms. Whether you want to host an impressive presentation in the roof top Chartwell Room (complete with views out to sea) or an exhibition or ball for up to 1200 in the massive two-tiered Oxford Suite, you’ll be assured of Hilton quality and service.
Conference enquiries: 01273 775 432 • www.hilton.co.uk/brightonmet
Holiday Inn Brighton-Seafront
With nine private function rooms, all benefiting from air conditioning, licensed for civil wedding ceremonies and highly adaptable for many set-ups, such as banqueting, training sessions, dinner dances, private dining, board meetings and lectures, Holiday Inn Brighton-Seafront is ideal setting for any event with up to 400 delegates.
Conference enquiries: 01273 828 253 • www.hibrighton.com
Brighton Pier
Hows about something very different AND very Brighton?! Brighton Pier has many years of experience managing dynamic meetings and events in it’s numerous venues. With the ability to cater for up to 500 guests, it’s the perfect seaside choice.
Conference enquiries: 01273 609 361 • www.brightonpier.co.uk
Orb360
Give your colleagues or clients a day to remember with an Orb360 experience. Orb360 is the longest orbing run in the UK (that’s giant inflatable balls that you get strapped into and rolled down a hill!) and guarantees an unforgettable experience. With full use of the Orb Shack, including seating, bar music and BBQ, it’s a sure fire winner.
Enquiries: 08456 434 360 www.orb360.co.uk
Home | Links | About us | Contact us | Mailing list
Get online with Unique to Brighton
Brighton & Hove is renowned for its wide range of independent shops and traders, and the perfect way to find the best of our unique businesses is on the Unique to Brighton web directory. Each business has it’s own page with an introduction to what it sells and contact information. And if you’re a business who wants to join the directory – which ranks well in Google – then the cost is a mere £35 per year. Now that’s savvy, cost-effective marketing!
A glittering awards dinner and ceremony to announce the winners of this year’s BAHBAs was held on Friday 9 October at the Hilton Brighton Metropole. Following a Champagne reception, guests and nominees enjoyed a three course meal followed by the presentations. So folks... this year’s winners are:
Business in the Community Award sponsored by Hilton Brighton Metropole
Winner: Sussex County Cricket Club
Innovation in Business Award sponsored by University of Brighton
Winner: Crunch.co.uk
Healthiest Workplace Award sponsored by NHS Brighton & Hove
Winner: Domestic & General Services Ltd
Best Place to Visit Award sponsored by QED
Winner: Brighton Dome
Responsible Business Award sponsored by Veolia Environmental Services
Winner: Mooncup Ltd
Best Customer Service Award sponsored by Nido
Winner: Duke of York’s Picturehouse
New Kids on the Block Award sponsored by Royal Mail
Winner: out post sound ltd
Equality & Diversity in the Workplace Award sponsored by Kelta HR
Winner: Working Links
Most Awesome Use of Digital Media Award sponsored by Nixon McInnes
Winner: Blast Theory
Best Place to Work Award sponsored by Neilson
Winner: FDM Group PLC
Best Independent Retailer Award sponsored by The Argus
Winner: The Book Nook
Entrepreneur of the Year Award sponsored by redseven
Winner: Su Hardy for Mooncup Ltd
Business Growth Award sponsored by MDHUB
Winner: Makemedia Ltd
Creative Industries Award sponsored by Wired Sussex
Winner: Brighton Dome & Festival
Best Place to Entertain Clients Award sponsored by Midnight
Winner: Hotel du Vin
Outstanding Brightonian Award sponsored by Absolute Brighton
Winner: Tony Bloom
A big well done to all the winners and to every business that entered!
JOOGLEBERRY C.H.E.E.R.S
(Companies Hand Employees Entertainment Rewards)
If you want to say thank you to the staff and dont want it to cost the earth try out Joogleberry's innovative new entertainment reward scheme. Joogleberry C.H.E.E.R.S are a staggeringly cost effective way to reward the staff at any time of the year within office hours for only £250!
Choose from magicians, soul divas, swing trios, brazillian bands or boogiewoogie troops, belly dancers, burlesque artists and tribute acts who will set up in the office and give your staff a snappy performance guaranteed to put a smile on everyones face and make them feel valued and appreciated.
Click to www.joogleberry.com/acts/corporate/joogleberry-cheers for a selection of Joogleberry C.H.E.E.R.S acts.
The Tourism Alliance launch
Brighton & Hove’s new Tourism Alliance meets for the first time on Tuesday 15 December at The Blue Man restaurant. The Tourism Alliance is a members-only network for businesses operating within the tourism and hospitality industry, and has been formed to encourage co-operation between businesses, skill and information sharing, and as a space to formulate projects and initiatives for mutual gain, and the benefit of the wider City economy. Founding members include Brighton Pier, Holiday Inn, Premier Inn, Unique to Brighton, the Queens Hotel, Ramada Jarvis, Hotel du Vin, Drakes of Brighton, SEA LIFE and Orb360.
For more information contact Claire Mitchell on 07812 177 427, email claire.mitchell@engagesolutions.org.uk or visit www.thetourismalliance.org.uk
Brighton Visitor had a behind-the-scenes tour of the developments currently happening at the Engineerium in Hove. The site and its many unique historical exhibits were rescued from closure by local businessman, Mike Holland, who was also our animated guide for the day. There are big plans for the site and a great deal of construction has already taken place with work having started, or to begin shortly, on a multi-million pound track-based underground ride, 3D wraparound cinema, hands-on discovery centre, engineering and technology exhibits, event space for 500 people and a restaurant, alongside the two immense and magnificent water-pumping engines.
The catch? Well it’s going to be another year or two before this astounding new Brighton attraction is open to the public but we can tell you it’s going to be worth the wait! We’ll bring you more next year...
Brighton’s homegrown business show is back in 2010 to get companies and organisations of all sizes from across the city and surrounding area to talk, network, get advice and, most importantly, DO BUSINESS! The essential dates for your diary are:
Brighton & Hove Business show at Hove Town Hall from 11am-6pm on Wednesday 14 April 2010 (entry is free; to exhibit contact info@brightonandhovebusinessshow.co.uk or call 07854 187412)
Check out the video or visit the websites for oodles more information! www.brightonandhovebusinessshow.co.uk
Paramount Attractions has today [February 2] agreed to withdraw its current planning application for the Brighton O, a 60m observation wheel, near the West Pier, to prepare a new application on an alternative site.
Following three months of exhaustive efforts by Paramount Attractions and Brighton and Hove City Council to resolve concerns raised by its immediate neighbours, including the i360, a solution could not be found.
However, the Brighton O team – which already has £6 million in place to complete the project – is continuing to work in partnership with the Council to agree an alternative site on Brighton seafront, with the aim of opening the attraction in 2010.
A spokesperson from Paramount Attractions, said: “Our proposal has met with overwhelming support from businesses within the city, who recognise the tremendous economic boost that our attraction will bring. It has also been welcomed by local residents and the conservation advisory group, which includes English Heritage, voted in favour of it. So, when the new site is agreed, we will be able to move forward very quickly.”
Council Leader Mary Mears said: “The Brighton O developer has withdrawn the planning application for this site, however this is not be the end of the story. The council are supporting Paramount in their quest to bring the Brighton O observation wheel to another site in the city.
“The planning consultation showed there was a lot of support for the ‘O’ because of the economic and tourism benefits it would bring. Some of the objectors also commented that they could support the idea if it was on another site.
“The council worked hard with the developer to resolve the situation and I’m pleased the Brighton ‘O’ team remains keen to develop this project in Brighton & Hove.”
Over 60 businesses have pledged their support for the Brighton O, including 12 prestigious hotels and dozens of pubs, restaurants, cafes and tourist shops.
Said Paul Wright, General Manager, Holiday Inn Brighton-Seafront: "Brighton is well known for its innovation and attractions and this would add to the many reasons to stay in Brighton and so bring more people into the city and support the economy."
Philip Lewis, General Manager of Hotel du Vin said: "We need more attractions like the Brighton O to keep the city exciting and appealing to visitors and so we fully support this project and hope the Council will too."
Paramount Attractions, which is part of a group of companies that operate along the South Coast, from Eastbourne to the Isle of Wight, is behind the proposals aimed at attracting 250,000 people per year to the Brighton O. After two years in Brighton, it will take just ten days to dismantle and move it to another location.
Observation wheels have a proven track record and the London Eye is the UK's most popular attraction, visited by 3.5 million people every year. The South Bank has thrived since it was built and there are many other success stories around the globe.
Designed specifically for Brighton, the Brighton O will be the first of its kind in the western hemisphere. It will provide breath-taking, panoramic views of the sea, surrounding architecture, and landmarks, also providing a guided commentary of the heritage of Brighton & Hove. Glass Viewing Pods will run around a circular, elegant structure and the notably spokeless centre is open allowing full sea views. Rides will take approximately 12 minutes and cost between £5 and £7. Funding is in place now and construction can start right away, subject to temporary planning permission.
The UK’s newest National Park takes its next big step forward with the appointment of the official National Park Committee on 31 March 2009, with full operation being confirmed for April 2011. The South Downs National Park spans an area of 1600km2 from the boundary of Eastbourne to the east and Winchester and Southampton to the west. 120,000 people will live within the boundary of the park including Brighton’s neighbour Lewes, and it will incorporate two existing Areas of Natural Beauty and two country parks including Seven Sisters in East Sussex. With Brighton & Hove being on the immediate southern boundary of the park, there will be many opportunities for visitors and locals to take advantage of the landscape, attractions and activities.
Sharp Media Ltd, publisher of Brighton Visitor magazine, has teamed up with Brighton & Hove Business Show to produce a new business magazine aimed specifically at the city’s small and medium size enterprises.
Editor Nick Mosley says “We saw a great opportunity to deliver a business title that was entirely relevant to the unique businesses and entrepreneurs that exist within and around the city. We’re not trying to replicate what other titles do – we’re creating an information source specifically for Brighton & Hove covering sustainability, development, skills and training, media, politics, comment and opinion.”
Read the first issue online here!
For more information or to advertise visit www.brightonandhovebusiness.co.uk or email Nathalie Gomez de Vera nat@sharpmediagroup.co.uk • 01273 77 00 44
Pride in Brighton & Hove is putting out a call for all LGBT community groups, individuals and businesses to organise events for this Year’s Summer Pride Festival Week (which runs from the Saturday 31st July – Sunday 8 August 2010).
Over the years the Summer Pride Festival Week has been a huge success because community groups, local businesses and LGBT individuals put on a range of fantastic events that appeal to our broad and diverse LGBT populations.
This year Pride is looking to support community based events through offering more avenues of support than ever before. To get events advice, options for room hire, free advertising and more… simply complete an application for at www.brightonpride.org and tell us what you need to put on a Summer Pride event. All applications should be submitted by the 7 May 2010.
Kath Browne (Trustee with the lead for Community and Diversity) says, ‘This year we want a to get more community involvement in Summer Pride week. Just let us know what support you need to put on an event and we will do our best to match that need. We are able to offer a more involved approach where you want/need it.’
As well as the community groups every year more and more local businesses get involved by holding Pride fundraising events during Summer Pride. If you’re a local business and have a fundraising idea you can register your event by calling Pride on 01273 775 939 before Monday 17 May 2010.
The Summer Pride Guide will be available in July from venues around the City with full details of everything you need to know to plan and enjoy your Summer Pride events.
The Brighton & Hove Food and Drink Festival has teamed up with Harvest to launch an exciting initiative for business across the city to grow-their-own produce.
Over the coming months, hotels, restaurants, pubs, and bars (and indeed any business... we’ve already started our courgettes and strawberries in the Brighton Visitor office window boxes!) are encouraged to grow at least some of the produce they use. Whether it’s simply mint or basil for cocktails and garnishes or something more adventurous, the aim is to get the whole city growing and get Brighton & Hove onto the road of food sustainability. Awards for the best growers will be presented at the Sussex Eco Awards in September.
Brighton Visitor had a very jolly day out at Fontwell Racecourse at the start of June to celebrate the launch of this year’s Sussex Business Awards. Without doubt the most high profile and prestigious award scheme in the south east, the Sussex Business Awards recognise business excellence every year.
Following a busy afternoon of racing (no winners for us, but lots of past winners at the party!), we were treated to an exclusive behind-the-scenes tour of the racecourse, then a short presentation and drinks reception attended by sponsors, past winners, media and dignitaries from both East and West Sussex.
This year the awards have some huge sponsors – including Lloyds TSB Commercial, Deloitte, Heart FM and Bupa amongst many others – demonstrating their importance to the economic life and profile of the region.
For more details on how to get your business recognised check out the website!