Introducing Brighton's next wave

Gaudy yet glorious, Brighton is Britain's most eccentric city. Walk through its famous lanes and you’ll find a booming arts scene, flourish food scene, and sophisticated street life that's reaching its peak. As we get ready to open the doors to our newest House, we invited local committee members to our new site to tell us why they’re excited about the arrival of Brighton Beach House.

Gemma Ogston

Out with the meat, in with the veg, says chef and author Gemma Ogston, who is championing the plant-based revolution in Brighton with her flourishing bespoke food delivery service, Gem’s Wholesome Kitchen. She’s deeply rooted in the local community too, working with the council, Public Health and schools to help educate young people around eating well. ‘I co-founded a community project, Plant Stories, which helps support vulnerable families with healthy foods throughout the school holidays,’ she says. 

What is the food scene like in Brighton?

‘It’s vibrant and very colourful. It’s buzzing with everyone supporting each other and a real sense of community for those that work within it. A few of my Brighton favourites have to be: The Chilli Pickle, Flint House, Fatto a Mano, Youjuice, Smorl’s, Iydea and Carlito Burrito, which are some of Brighton’s best.’

Why should people visit Brighton? 

‘Because it is the best city in the UK. We have everything here. The seaside, food, and an amazing variety of independent shops in The Lanes. We are near enough to London that a day trip is very do-able, but anyone who comes to visit never wants to leave. We also have the countryside on our doorstep – The Downs are only a 15-minute drive, where you can have a good old stomp on a Sunday.’

Is there a strong sense of community there? 

‘Brighton is like a big family, and we really look after each other. There is huge community spirit and I have always been so supported by the locals since setting up my business.’ 

What are you most looking forward to about the opening of Brighton Beach House? 

‘Where do I start? Everything. I can’t wait to work at Soho Works, and finally have some space to write in peace. Plus, school swims and pizza with the kids and a cheeky Picante for me on a Friday night – watching the sunset from the rooftop, of course. Having a Soho House here is going to be life-changing and am so excited to be a part of the Committee here.’

Abigail Bainbridge 

Communications and digital engagement expert, Abigail Bainbridge, has changed the face of NARS over the last few years, calling upon some of the beauty industry’s biggest digital creators to bolster its image. ‘The street performers, the nightlife, its various festivals, street parties and events’ give Brighton its buzz, she says. ‘Plus, there’s something happening nearly every night of the week.’ 

What’s it like living by the sea? 
‘You can’t beat the feeling of fresh sea air. It gives people a place to go to enjoy with friends, think, and relax. It gives a sense of calm. When you’ve grown up in Brighton and then live elsewhere, the sea is something you really miss.’
 
What gives Brighton its buzz? 
‘The people. The individuals and families who live here, or visit for the day, or come to study or for a long weekend, who come here because it’s a special place and want to be part of that. The street performers, the nightlife, its various festivals, street parties and events – there is something happening nearly every night of the week here.’
  
What are you most looking forward to about the opening of Brighton Beach House? 
‘I’m really looking forward to having a wonderful space in Brighton that creatives can enjoy together, as well as meeting new people and having a top of the range workspace to work in with other creatives all under one roof. And the rooftop pool looking out to sea, of course.’
 
How do you think it will change the area? 
‘The House will give creatives a great space to come together and enjoy each other’s company, as well as spaces to work on creative projects together, elevating their work and leisure time.’
  
What is one thing you can only find in Brighton?
‘Feisty seagulls. They’re not this shady anywhere else in the world.’ 

JP Omari 

Dancer, choreographer and fitness instructor, JP Omari, is a man of many talents. The Italian-born multi-disciplinary has created work for the likes of The Young Vic, Nowness and Dizzee Rascal. Permanently settled in Brighton, he now owns Streetfunk – a multi award-winning street dance school, as well as FunkFit, a dance fitness programme that uses funk, disco, Motown, and soul music. 

You must have travelled around the world with your career. Why did you settle on Brighton as a place to live?
'I came to study international business at the University of Brighton in 1999, and by the end of the first summer, I knew Brighton was to become my home for life.’ 

What’s the creative scene like? Is there a strong sense of community there? 
'The creative scene in Brighton is amazing. With the Brighton May Festival, the Fringe Festival, the City Council and the residents pushing the scene and encouraging people to express themselves creatively, there is truly a strong sense of community.’

There is something liberating about being in Brighton, what do you think it is?
‘The opportunity to truly be who you are, and be as creative and as expressive as you like. From the moment I got to Brighton, I felt like I had landed in a place where I could become who I was meant to and build a name for myself.’

What are you most looking forward to about the opening of Brighton Beach House? 
‘The venue, the location, the amazing people that will be part of it, and the community we will create. I'm so excited.’

Brighton Beach House opens this spring.