Category Archives: Brighton Life

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Brighton Life, Clothes, Fashion, Style

50 Plus… and a chance meeting by David Collyer

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I spent my teenage years in the South West of Surrey, pretty much equidistant between London and Brighton, and it was always one of those two places that called my friends and I when we needed a touch of metropolitan sophistication, or of course to strengthen our wardrobes. In my early twenties, London won and I moved there, the bright lights of the Big Smoke pulling me away from my leafy childhood home.

Brighton, however, always felt like a magical place. I visited often. My younger brother, a musician, moved there, and as many a musician does ended up working a side hustle. In his case, the cook in Hotel Pelirocco. I’d been an early 1980s mod revivalist, and of course with thoughts of Quadrophenia in mind, Brighton always felt like a pilgrimage.

Scroll forward almost 40 years and I’m now living in rural South Wales, dividing my work life between the NHS and as a photographer. Having not visited Brighton in almost twenty years, my partner and I decided to take a city break, staying in an AirBnB off Marine Parade, and catching up with one of my old London friends who has long since made the city his home. After a very pleasant meal my partner and I were strolling through The Lanes as the last light was fading, when I spotted a very dapper man in double-breasted cream linen suit, correspondent shoes, a wide brimmed hat at a rakish angle, and standout silver jewellery. I had a 1959 Leica M3 camera slung around my neck, and two frames left on a roll of black and white film. I had to photograph this man, although with the light quickly diminishing, it was touch and go whether any frame would be useable.

In 2017 when I turned 50, I started shooting a project called 50 Plus… The generation that didn’t have to grow up. It examines my generation of men and explores the freedoms that we have which weren’t available to our fathers’ generation. We are at liberty to cling on to our teenage subcultures and styles well into and beyond middle age. Always obsessed with clothes and music, I still consider myself a modernist. Since my initial re-visit to Brighton I’ve been back a handful of times. In 2023 I photographed the Mod Weekender for Detail Magazine, and as a result came away with a yearning to buy a scooter again, which I did, and it’s been ridden to Brighton a couple of times since. In many ways the photographic project was autobiographical. I have the luxury of holding down professional jobs whilst also indulging my inner teenage rebel. 

50 Plus… grew and grew, and on my 58th birthday in June, it was released by specialist documentary photography publisher Fistful of Books. I start the book with these words:

“As growing old is a privilege, so too is it a privilege of youth to rebel against the elder generation. Unlike when we were young, however, how do you shock the generation who have spent their lives rebelling? I’ve often said to my boys that the only way they could shock me is by playing golf and voting Conservative. Thankfully, as far as I’m aware, neither has experimented with such depravity!…

In the woods behind my house were the rusting remains of a Morris Oxford, and minus its wheels, the monocoque body of a long-trashed Vespa scooter. I used to sit on said scooter, and imagine I was riding to Brighton with my school’s equivalent of Jimmy the Mod’s on/off girlfriend Steph on the pillion. It’s safe to say, I wasn’t the Ace Face!”

50 Plus… is a hardback containing 84 portraits, over 156 pages. There is an essay by myself, a preface by an ex-pat British journalist now living and working in California, who published some of the photos in a magazine in 2022, and although the vast majority of portraits are anonymous, twelve of the men have been kind enough to write a testimony about themselves.

Fortunately the two shots of the dapper gent in The Lanes worked out, and he is one of those who kindly agreed to contribute. If you’re asking yourself why you are reading this in The West Hill Whistler, and you’ve not yet worked it out, that man was Jed Novick, editor of the title, and we’ve since become friends. Last time we met up we enjoyed a good Mexican meal and Margueritas on an early summer evening. Jed and Mike Baller who I photographed on a subsequent visit to Brighton are pictured here.

The book is available from the publisher Fistful of Books, or I have some copies for sale at £30 plus postage. Contact me through my website 

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architecture, Brighton, Brighton Life, Conservation

Conservation Matters – Nov / Dec 2025

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The West Hill Community Association was one of the14 community groups which formed the coalition “AGHAST” (Action on Gasworks Housing, Safety, Affordability and Transparency) to oppose the proposed development of high-rise blocks on the former gasworks site near the Grade 1 Listed Kemp Town Estate. To the dismay of local councillors, residents and amenity associations a planning inspector representing the then secretary of state Angela Rayner (yes, she) has now overturned the decision of our City’s Planning Committee to refuse the scheme. Our councillors gave three reasons for refusal: 

The scheme would represent an overdevelopment of the site with excessive scale, massing, density and heights that are not in keeping with the area, which along with the design and material palette would cumulatively harm the townscape, landscape and seascape of the area and its heritage assets. (It should be noted that the site is not in a “Tall Buildings Zone”).

The under-provision of larger units would fail to meet the identified housing need of the city. (It offers an) unacceptable standard of accommodation for future residents by reason of poor levels of amenity and light to some dwellings.

To rub salt into the wound the Inspector has directed that our City Council pay the costs of developers St William, the nom de guerre of Berkeley Homes. These costs could run into hundreds of thousands of pounds. Berkeley Homes, incidentally, last published profits of £179 million. The Inspector justified his costs decision by describing the Council’s behaviour in opposing the scheme as unreasonable!

A retired professor of architecture at Brighton University has questioned the impartiality of the Planning Inspector, citing the Inspector’s previous support for the suggestion by a “think tank” that “councillors should have no say over deciding applications for new developments”.

The professor further called the scheme a “ghastly overdevelopment”; no wonder Angela Rayner bought her £800,000 seaside flat on the other side of the city in Hove!

Brighton Life

Cllr Ellen McLeay & Cllr Sue Shanks  – Nov / Dec 2025

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It’s good to be writing to you again with an update on our work across Brighton & Hove.

We’re proud to call this city home. Known for its warmth, diversity, and resilience, Brighton & Hove has always stood strong in the face of adversity. In 2024, our community came together to reject anti-immigration riots and continues to stand firmly against division and hate. Now more than ever, we must uphold these values and work to strengthen social cohesion.

Community Action in St George’s Mews  

There’s nothing better than seeing our community come together. Recently, we supported a community action day on St George’s Mews – residents joined forces with us (Sue and Ellen), and the team at St Mungo’s to weed, litter pick, and paint over tagging. St Mungo’s lead on important work for our community, managing supported accommodation and a housing programme for people with complex needs.

This area, along with Gloucester Street, is one of seven identified hotspots in the city where Sussex Police are focusing efforts due to rising antisocial behaviour (ASB). While a tidy-up day won’t solve everything, it supports the Broken Windows Theory – the idea that visible signs of disorder can lead to more serious crime. There’s still much more to be done in this area, but this was a positive step forward. 

A big thanks to everyone who helped us that day. We’d especially like to thank Molly Baskar, who stopped by on her final day as a Police Community Support Officer (PCSO). Molly has been an outstanding presence in our area, consistently going above and beyond to support residents and build trust in the community.

We’re delighted to hear she’s being promoted within the Police ranks, a well-deserved recognition of her dedication and impact. We wish her every success in this exciting next chapter.

New Road Improvements

You may have noticed the removal of benches on New Road. This is part of a broader plan to improve safety, accessibility, and the overall feel of the area. Originally designed in 2007 as England’s first shared space street, New Road is now in need of renewal. The council is working with partners – police, businesses, community groups, and health services – to reimagine the space. Seating will return, but with designs that help reduce ASB and make the area more welcoming for everyone.

Supporting Brighton’s Independent Businesses  

Ellen has been working to represent independent businesses across the North Laine and in Seven Dials. As the festive season approaches, we encourage you to shop local. Supporting independent businesses means reinvesting in our community. Local traders are the heartbeat of Brighton.

Our city is lucky to have a vibrant independent shopping scene. While many high streets across the UK are dominated by the same chains, Brighton stands out as a hub of creativity and uniqueness.

We know it’s tempting to do your weekly shop in one supermarket – especially as we lead increasingly busy lives – but it’s worth bearing in mind the benefits to our local economy when you shop local. The theory goes, when you spend £10 at an independent café, over £5 stays in the local economy. Spend it at a chain, and just £1.40 remains. That difference matters to the community you live in.

So, consider gifting from Brighton’s many independent traders this Christmas. Many have deep roots in the city, with generations of family-run businesses.

The Brighton Gift Card is a great way to support local. Business leaders are urging residents to “Make your Christmas rewards count” by choosing the Brighton Gift Card.

Christmas Events in North Laine – On Small Business Saturday, 6 December, the BID team are hosting a festive event including roaming choirs, brass bands, and the launch of a themed window dressing competition. There’s also talk of late-night shopping opportunities on Bond Street this year.

Brighton Youth Centre Reopening  

Young people need safe spaces to connect, get support, and explore their interests. The refurbished Brighton Youth Centre on Edward Street is nearly ready to open, with facilities including a skate park and band rehearsal rooms.

Sue, a trustee of the centre, has been closely involved in the refurbishment. The official opening is at the end of October, when the centre will move from its temporary home on Gloucester Road.

Protecting Our Libraries  

We’re opposing council proposals to close three community libraries – Hollingdean, Westdene, and Rottingdean – and reduce hours at Hove and Jubilee. Libraries, like youth centres, are vital community spaces. We believe the council can find the necessary funding elsewhere.

Food Waste Collections Begin  

15 September, Brighton & Hove City Council started food waste collections, for the first time in the city. This is limited to in Saltdean, Rottingdean, Ovingdean, Woodingdean and Brighton Marina to begin with but will be rolled out to other areas over three stages. In the current proposed timeline, Central Brighton and Seven Dials can expect to see this service from March 2026.  

New Blood Donation Centre  

A new blood donation centre has opened at 1 Gloucester Place. Sue, a long-time donor, donated blood at the official opening on 16 October. If you’re over 17, we encourage you to book an appointment and donate. It is a selfless act that can save lives, and one donation can help up to three people.

Reporting Antisocial Behaviour  

Remember if you’re noticing an increase in ASB, please report it to the police so they can take action. For emergencies, call 999; for non-emergencies, call 101, or report online at sussex.police.uk/report-online. 

If the problem is persistent and escalating, contact us, your councillors, and we’ll help connect you with the right support.

l Ellen.Mcleay@brighton-hove.gov.uk

l Sue.Shanks@brighton-hove.gov.uk

Amy Newman, Brighton, Brighton Life, Pearson Keehan

Amy Newman of Pearson Keehan, estate agents

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Corinne Sweet, The Whistler’s  Interesting Person correspondent, talks to Amy Newman, Queen of Pearson Keehan the new estate agent on the block

If your idea of an estate agent is something out of Stath Lets Flats or Dubai: Buying the Dream. Then think again. There’s a new gal on the block and she’s breaking the mould. 

Amy Newman is a rare breed: a woman Director of a relatively new estate agent, Pearson Keehan, in Seven Dials. Born and bred in Hove, Amy spent her formative years in the midst of a football-loving household. Her father, Paul, set up and coaches the West Hove Dynamos, a grassroots football club. Her mother, Jayne, does the admin. Amy helps with the social media and advertising. And her brothers, Lee, Ross and Adam, played football and now coach the Dynamos themselves.

“My footballing family gave me a great background training for working as an estate agent”, grins Amy. “I was a bit of a tomboy and being the youngest of four I had to learn to stand my own ground.” Loving the outdoors, she played football, like her three bros, but also did netball and ballet. Amy went to schools in Hove and Brighton (St Andrew’s Primary and Blatchington Mill), and being sports and animal-mad decided she’d train as an animal care assistant.

Leaving school at 16 she went to Plumpton College to learn her trade helping abused, abandoned and sick animals. “I grew up with dogs and cats and really wanted to work with them”, she says. She ended up with a rescue dog, Poppy, who had a heart-wrenching history, plus a mature cat, Edward.

While finishing her Diploma at Plumpton, Amy worked in Pet’s Corner, in Hove, rising to Manager. On graduation she was offered work by a friend in the, now defunct, Brighton Accommodation Agency . It was here Amy began to cut her teeth on the house-purchasing business. 

She realised that helping people find a home, buy or sell their properties, was an important skill to have. “In many ways you meet people when they are having a difficult time: divorcing, moving cities or jobs, or after a death”, explains Amy, “You almost are a therapist and you have to understand how to help people”.

Amy’s experience growing up in a robust, but supportive home, and her work with animals, meant she has stacks of common sense mixed with compassion. Like her mother, she is a great organiser and is good at strategic thinking. 

Meanwhile, Amy worked for well-known local agencies for 13 years, saved hard and lived at home. She eventually bought her own home near Mile Oak Farm where she lives with partner, Billy, who is an up-and-coming DJ.

However, working in estate agencies has not all been plain sailing. Amy has found the glass ceiling has sometimes been reinforced with heavy-duty concrete by particular types of male colleagues. “It’s sometimes felt like being in a frustrating boys’ club”, she says wryly, “But my experience working with animals had shaped my compassionate approach to people.” 

Amy decided to rise above any challenging situations thrown at her at work. “I’ve learned to manage complex and sensitive situations with empathy and understanding”. And certainly, it’s helped Amy succeed in a male-dominated industry.

Now working with Chris Pearson and Kevin Keehan, who happen to be old friends from childhood, their attitudes to work inspired Amy to join them in their new enterprise. Together they set up Pearson Keehan together after the trials of lockdown. 

Amy joined on a self-employed basis in October 2024. Tragedy struck in January 2025 and Amy ruptured her Achilles heel playing netball. While injured, Amy used the time to develop new branding, a website and designed the new office at Seven Dials. Ironically, it was the same building she worked in (Mishon Mackay) at the beginning of her career – but it was now getting an Amy makeover. She had gone full circle. Having worked closely with Chris and Kevin for the launch of Pearson Keehan, Amy became a Director when the Seven Dials branch opened in August 2025.

“I have always been really focused on selling and buying houses, which I think is important.” Amy says it’s important for sellers to have a clear strategy and approach to selling in the current uncertain market, which is why it’s important to work with the right agent. She believes it’s important to do your homework and stay positive. Meanwhile, in the office, Amy says she likes to lead from “under the radar” as she has no need to stoke her ego. 

Amy is chic, calm and straight-talking. Exuding quiet confidence she believes women are generally more empathic and treat customers well. Plus, she has words of wisdom for any woman wanting to rise to the top in the estate agency business: “Back yourself, know you’ll succeed, but do it your way”. 

Brighton, Brighton Life, Chilli Pickle

The Chilli Pickle in Brighton by Gilly Smith

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The Chilli Pickle’s Alun and Dawn Sperring are two of Brighton’s most intrepid restaurateurs and have been travelling through South Asia on a quest for adventure and the best food they can find. They tell Gilly Smith what treasures they brought home. 

With kids, Fletcher, now 12, and Stanley, 18 in tow, Alun and Dawn Sperring have spent most of their lives exploring India, from the crazy bazaars of Old Delhi to the hill stations in the western ghats to the tropics in the south and the deserts of Rajasthan. 

Much of what they’ve found over the years has made its way onto the menu of their restaurant, the award winning, OctoberBest favourite, Chilli Pickle, now back in its original home in the Lanes. The Laal Maas, a fiery mutton curry comes from an early trip to Jaipur, its deep red chilli colour and a robust taste of whole garam masala served with hot red pickled onions and naan. The lassi, a traditional yoghurt drink seasoned with cardamom and signature tasty milk skin on top, they found served in a clay pot which, once finished, is smashed. 

Now they’re back from their latest trips through Kerala, Varanasi, Chennai in India and Lahore in Pakistan with new flavours and stories to tell. 

“When we visited Lahore this time, it was all about the nose to tail eating and meat cooked over fire on the streets”, Alun tells me. “We’d go for an early breakfast meal of paya which is goat’s trotter soup, which they’ve cooked overnight for the locals who start work at around 5am. It’s a wonderful way to start the day, a big dose of collagen and protein in one go. They finish the vat and then they start cooking all over again through the night.”  

Paya, Chilli Pickle-style isn’t quite the whole trotter, but its broth, cooked down into a sticky consommé, is going down a storm in Brighton. Alun and Dawn pride themselves on offering the real South Asian taste that they’ve found on their countless adventures. Their spicing is honest and unapologetic, and they’re happy to replicate some of the more challenging dishes; even the brain curry has been on the menu. But will the Katakat make it to the specials? “Ooh that was good”, he sighs. “It’s street food that’s a bit like the Japanese Tepanyaki but made with goat testicles chopped up with mixed spice, green chilli and butter.”

I asked him how he can recreate the rich eating experiences of India and Pakistan, the throngs of local workers in the vegetarian canteens, or messes, of industrial Madras, or the unruly crowds at Kebab Corner in Chennai, and the calm of the house boats of Kerala where flat fish is a must. Answer: they don’t. The taste is enough to transport anyone who dreams of India. “We loved the kebabs in Chennai,” says Alun. “We now do the Malai chicken kebab which is topped with a spicy rich cream drizzled with butter and spiked with cardamom and kewra. It’s another level. We accompany all our kebabs with razor thin onion salad with a loose spicy green chutney, so we’re accompanying all our kebabs on the menu that way now.”

The indigenous Keralan pomfret is simply replaced with local plaice in our Kettuvallam Whole Plaice Fry”, he tells me. “It’s just rubbed with a really spicy marinade, ginger, chilli powder, awain seeds, rice flour, fresh lime curry leaf and fried dry and served with a lovely punchy ginger chutney and tempered coconut rice. And it makes a lovely side lunch or dinner special.”

Look out for the Nihari keema kulcha from Lahore with marrow bone gravy, a flatbread stuffed with beef Koobidah and served with a deliciously unctuous sticky spiced marrow bone gravy mopped up with stuffed flat bread.

l The Chilli Pickle – 6-8 Meeting House Lane, BN1 1HB

01273 442893

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