Tuesday 29 July 2014

Brighton i360 Breaks Ground With Next Phase of Seafront Regeneration

The next phase of regeneration for Brighton’s western seafront around the future i360 has been formally unveiled today. This included a new creative retail quarter on Brighton beach and ground was broken for the construction of the Brighton i360 attraction.

Members of the community, local businesses and the i360 team gathered to see Brighton and Hove Mayor, Cllr Brian Fitch, cut a ribbon to open the arches, which have undergone a painstaking restoration, between Alfresco and the future i360 site, with eight independent small creative firms opening for business.

Brighton & Hove Council leader, Councillor Jason Kitcat led a group including David Marks, the architect behind the i360 and the London Eye, putting the first ceremonial spade in the ground to formally start building works for the Brighton i360, the world’s first vertical cable car observation tower, expected to attract millions of additional visitors to Brighton.

Said Cllr Jason Kitcat, “This is a momentous occasion for Brighton and Hove, which will kick start the regeneration of the wider area, both down on the beach and including Preston Street. Our seafront is our most important asset that helps make our tourism industry such a great success in Brighton and Hove. Our innovation here will make all the difference to helping the city continue as one of the UK’s most desirable and successful tourist destinations in the years to come. Bold decisions by the council and our partners have made sure this work has happened.

Said Cllr Ian Davey, deputy leader of the city council, “The restoration of the arches has been carried out as part of ongoing work to strengthen the A259 seafront road by the council’s transport team, with external funding from the Local Transport Plan.

“The arches are stunning, with some really superb businesses already leasing them and helping to make a very special new creative retail quarter on the seafront.”

Said David Marks of Marks Barfield Architects, “It has taken over eight years to get to this point, but the Brighton i360 will now be a reality and will be one of the most exciting visitor attractions in the world. The i360 will be the world’s first vertical cable car; an engineering wonder and a major new performing arts, conference, dining and hospitality venue for Brighton. It will generate more footfall to this part of Brighton – and we hope bring about the sort of transformation that the London Eye helped create on the South Bank.”

Said Rachel Clark, West Pier Trust, “This is a very special occasion for the West Pier Trust because it marks the beginning of a long awaited new era. The i360 will be a brilliant attraction and entirely in the spirit of the West Pier – a vertical pier. It will transform the site and the entire city.. We would like to thank our members for all their support for the i360 and getting us to this point. We are delighted that two of our traders from the West Pier market, (Magi Altwegg and Dorian and Dinah Delap) have moved into the new arches.

Ron Crank, Chief Executive of Coast to Capital LEP said, which has made a seven year loan of £4m to assist the Brighton i360, “All the elements are here to create a true economic regeneration of this area, attracting investment and visitors to this location whilst increasing employment growth within the Coast to Capital region.  We are delighted to be supporting this important project and look forward to seeing its progress as it develops on Brighton’s iconic seafront.”               

Background info re: new seafront arches:
The city council began a £5 million project to rebuild, strengthen and refurbish the Victorian arches in November 2012, between Alfresco and the West Pier. The work was needed due to Victorian structural deterioration, causing cracking and subsidence of structural elements; and allowing rain to leak into the arches below. The seafront arches work is part of the council’s long-term seafront strategy designed to encourage business and enhance the city and will complement other work taking place in the area, the centre piece of which is the i360.

Premises to the west of the former West Pier have now been rebuilt using a reinforced concrete frame and roof, together with ornate brick facades. The brick arches themselves have been fabricated off site and brought in. All the bricks have been specially made by Ibstock following the careful mapping and surveying of the old façade. Many new bricks are special non-standard shapes and sizes.

New wooden frames, doors and windows have been made by Seth Evans Joinery near Worthing. Iron railings above have been re-cast from moulds dating back to the 1880s. Council Project Manager Leon Bellis has worked closely with the design engineers, Amey, architects Solar Architecture and the contractor C J Thorne. Council conservation and planning experts, together with English Heritage, have been closely involved to ensure authenticity.

The first phase of the works is now complete, delivering 26 new arches which provide 10 double-arched business units or artists’ studios; plus a newly refurbished seafront toilet block at the eastern end, which opened last month (on 27 June). 

The West Pier arches will house a range of retail outlets selling designer gifts and home ware, children’s clothing, photographic prints, frames and books, and a hairdresser and beauty salon.

The list includes:
The Lollipop Shoppe
Contemporary Gifts and Interiors

Brighton Photography
Photography gallery

Banana Louis
Hair Studio

Artist Anon Brighton
Original clothing and artwork

Bailey Alexander Gallery
Art Crafts and Jewellery

Small Folk Run
Children's clothes and interiors

Mia Beach
Knitting and crochet specialist and ladies clothing

The Hat Hut
Hats, bags and accessories

The arches will be lit at night with lights programmed to produce sweeping blues, whites and sea greens to represent waves. The lighting scheme was designed and installed by Urban Projects who are the lighting design company behind the award winning Bandstand lighting scheme visible from the West Pier Arches. www.urbanprojects.ltd.uk

About Brighton i360
At 162 metres high, and with an observation pod rising to 138 metres, the i360 will be the world’s first vertical cable car and the tallest observation tower outside London, offering a new perspective on the fun loving seaside city of Brighton. Sited at the root end of the historic West Pier on Brighton’s seafront, the i360 has a slender, elegant design, with a futuristic pod allowing 200 visitors at a time to enjoy the surrounding view as it slowly unfolds. The visitor centre incorporates a 400 seat restaurant, a shop, exhibition space and conference and event facilities.
Twitter: @TheBrightoni360
Facebook: Brighton-i360
Pinterest: Brightoni360

About Marks Barfield Architects
Founded in 1989 by Julia Barfield and David Marks, Marks Barfield Architects (MBA) conceived and designed  the London Eye  in 1993  and  also has a diverse portfolio of projects that includes schools, cultural, transport and sports buildings as well as the Kew treetop walkway and Pier outside Tate Britain. Marks Barfield has won more than 60 awards for design, innovation and sustainability.

@marksbarfield

Creative Businesses Support Circus Street Regeneration

Over 400 leading lights in Brighton’s creative industries participated in the Glug ‘more notworking than networking’ event last night in Circus Street Market, hosted by Crush Creative and Agency Rush, with many showing their support for the regeneration of the site on the night. 

Carl from the design group Crush Creative, whose company organizes Glug, along with the illustration agency Agency Rush, said: “It was great to have the event in this old warehouse, but it’s been derelict for years and we are really backing the Circus Street Market redevelopment - it will create a fantastic new creative area in the city."

The redevelopment includes new workshop spaces for small and start up creative businesses, a new commercial space for growing creative and digital businesses, a new library and student halls for the University of Brighton's Faculty of Arts, new homes, plus The Dance Space, a new HQ and studios for South East Dance.

Helen of Agency Rush said, "Glug is all about enjoying and sharing creative ideas with like minded people, being inspired by amazing creative talks, live art, interactive fun – and enjoying a drink or two together. Brighton is a brilliant city for creative people and we’re looking forward to having a new creative community at Circus Street."

Martyn Evans, Creative Director of Cathedral Group, presented the regeneration scheme currently being considered by planners for the Circus Street area.

The Circus Street proposals are part of a public private partnership with the Council, University of Brighton, South East Dance, Cathedral Group (Holdings) Ltd and McLaren and will be considered by Brighton & Hove’s Planning Committee in the autumn. 

Speakers at the Glug evening included Si Scott a commercial designer and illustrator, the lead product designer from Rapha Graeme Raeburn, digital artist Seb Lee Delisle and Katherine Bidwell from State of Play games who create indie games and animation.

Glug also presented a wealth of other creative happenings from Etsy pop up shops, screenprinting, live art from leading illustrators, a silent cinema, Photobot, 3D printing & delicious food brought by Street Diner.



Wednesday 16 July 2014

Rampion Offshore Wind Farm Gets Go Ahead!


E.ON has today (Wednesday 16 July 2014) received consent from the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, the Rt Hon Ed Davey MP, for its Rampion Offshore Wind Farm development.

This decision means Rampion is set to become the first offshore wind farm off the south coast of England. Consent has been given for a wind farm of between 100 and 175 turbines to be installed around 13 to 20km off the Sussex coast.

Commenting on the decision, Michael Lewis, Chief Operating Officer, E.ON Renewables, said: “E.ON is delighted to receive development consent for the Rampion Offshore Wind Farm proposal. This is a key milestone for the project and we firmly believe Rampion will play an important role in helping to ensure future security of supply and make a significant contribution towards meeting the UK’s renewable energy targets.”

Chris Tomlinson, Development Manager for Rampion Wind Farm, added: “This is great news for E.ON and for Sussex. The wind farm will not only help generate jobs during both construction and operation, but also provide a boost to the port regeneration at Newhaven and the local economy.

“We’d like to take the opportunity to thank the Sussex community for the high level of interest they’ve shown in this project, including their responses to our consultations and to the Planning Inspectorate during the examination which has all helped shape the project which we have today.”

Huub den Rooijen, Head of Offshore Wind at The Crown Estate, manager of the UK seabed, said: “Today’s announcement for the Rampion wind farm is great news for the offshore wind industry and with nearly 12GW consented, including over 5GW in operation or under construction, this further reinforces why the UK remains one of the best places to invest in offshore wind globally.”

E.ON will continue to keep the local community informed on the project’s progress and will be working hard over the coming months and years to make sure they are aware of the onshore and offshore activities associated with building the wind farm.


A final timetable for construction has not yet been agreed but is likely to begin within the next 12 months, with the first sections of the onshore cabling expected to commence spring in 2015.

Tuesday 15 July 2014

Sussex Food and Drink Awards Voting Opens!

Over a hundred Sussex food and drink business leaders gathered on 7 July at the new Big Reveal event held at Jeremy’s Restaurant at Borde Hill Gardens in Mid Sussex to hear the 65 finalists announced in the Sussex Food and Drink Awards 2014/15.

Jeremy’s Restaurant, winner of the Best Sussex Eating Experience 2013/14, provided an ideal venue to host the many farmers, butchers, chefs, market organisers, shop keepers, brewers and vintners from the far reaches of East Sussex, West Sussex and Brighton & Hove at the Big Reveal event.  All enjoyed delicious local food and drink and met the sponsor judges, winners from previous years and gained top tips about what could make them a winner of a coveted trophy.

 “Now in their ninth year, these unique awards are all about boosting the market for Sussex produce and letting people in the county know about the fantastic food and drink grown and made in Sussex, as well as the many great restaurants, pubs, cafes and food shops where it can be bought and enjoyed,” said Paula Seager, co-director of Natural Partnerships CIC, which runs the awards. 

Hosting the Big Reveal event was BBC Sussex radio presenter, Neil Pringle who congratulated all the finalists in this year’s awards.  The competition is set to be very tough this year with an impressive line up of candidates including lots of new names, as well as some familiar ones, who have made it onto through as a finalist.

Said Paula, “The quality is consistently high in this competition and we are urging people to try out the produce on the finalists list and vote for their favourites to win at www.sussexfoodawards.biz.  Voting is open until 26th September and every vote counts!”

“Aside from receiving their trophies, Grand Finalists get free tickets to THE Sussex foodie event of the year, the Sussex Food & Drink Awards Banquet, which is a superb seven-course banquet created entirely from local produce, to be held on 29th January 2015 – but most importantly, the winners get huge respect and recognition.”

Awards include:
·       Sussex Food Producer of the Year sponsored by The Southern Cooperative
·       Sussex Drink Producer of the Year sponsored by Sussex Food Network
·       Sussex Food Shop of the Year sponsored by Veasey & Sons and Cheese Please
·       Sussex Butcher of the Year sponsored by Bodiam Food School and Natural Farms
·       Sussex Farmers Market of the Year sponsored by Harvey’s of Lewes
·       Sussex Eating Experience of the Year sponsored by Natural PR
·       Sussex Farmer of the Year sponsored by Spofforths
·       Sussex Young Chef of the Year sponsored by Sodexo Prestige

Nominations for Sussex Young Chef of the Year remain open until the 20th September, when the top six will be selected to go forward as usual for the cook-off in October.

Following is the finalists list - you can vote for your favourites at:  www.sussexfoodanddrinkawards.biz

Sussex Food and Drink Awards 2014/15 Finalists:
Sussex Food Producer of the Year, sponsored by The Southern Cooperative
Beal's Farm Charcuterie, Barcombe, East Sussex
Caroline's Dairy, Sidlesham, West Sussex
Cocoa Loco, West Grinstead, West Sussex
Love Food, Worthing, West Sussex
Mud Foods, Midhurst, West Sussex
Nell Ball Farm Foods, Plaistow, West Sussex
Ouse Valley Foods, Piltdown, West Sussex
Piglet’s Pantry, Worthing, West Sussex
Sussex Gold, Partridge Green, West Sussex
The Hungry Guest Bakery, Chichester, West Sussex

Sussex Drink Producer of the Year sponsored by the Sussex Food Network
Ambriel Sparkling (Redfold Vineyards), Nutbourne, West Sussex
Blackdown Spirits, Lurgashall, West Sussex
Gran Stead’s Ginger, Portslade, East Sussex
Hastings Brewery, St Leonards-on-Sea, East Sussex
Highdown Vineyard, Ferring, West Sussex
Kings Beer, Horsham, West Sussex
Langham Brewery, Lodsworth, West Sussex
Plumpton College Winery, Plumpton, East Sussex
Ridgeview Wine Estate, Ditchling, East Sussex
Wobblegate, Bolney, West Sussex

Sussex Food Shop of the Year sponsored by Veaseys and Cheese Please
Charlie’s Farm Shop, Bury, West Sussex
Crates Local, Horsham, West Sussex
Hisbe, Brighton
Rushfields Farm Shop, Poynings, West Sussex
Rye Delie, Rye, East Sussex
Tablehurst Farm Shop, Forest Row, East Sussex
Tottingworth Farm Shop, Heathfield, West Sussex
Townings Farm Shop, North Chailey, East Sussex

Sussex Butcher of the Year sponsored by Bodiam Food School and Natural Farms
A. C. Coughtrey, Pulborough, West Sussex
Allan Martin Meats, Ashurst Wood, West Sussex
Bramptons Butchers, Kemptown, Brighton
Busters Farm Produce, Salehurst, East Sussex
Holmansbridge Farm Shop, Barcombe, East Sussex
John Murray Butchers, Loxwood, West Sussex
Leppards Family Butchers, Mayfield, East Sussex
May's of Stockbridge, Chichester, West Sussex
Old Spot Farm Shop, Piltdown, East Sussex
Steyning Butchers, Steyning, West Sussex

Sussex Farmers Market of the Year sponsored by Harvey’s of Lewes
Arundel Farmers Market, West Sussex
Chichester Farmer Market, West Sussex
Horsham Local Produce Market, West Sussex
Lewes Farmers Market, East Sussex
Shoreham Farmers Market, West Sussex
Steyning Farmers Market, West Sussex
Uckfield Farmers Market, East Sussex

Sussex Eating Experience of the Year sponsored by Natural PR
24 St Georges, Kemptown, Brighton
Amberley Castle, The Queens Room Amberley, West Sussex
Restaurant Tristan, Horsham, West Sussex
The Bell Inn Ticehurst, East Sussex
The Coach and Horses, Danehill, East Sussex
The Crabtree, Lower Beeding, West Sussex
The Curlew Restaurant, Bodiam, East Sussex
The Royal Oak Inn, East Lavant, West Susssex
Wingrove House, Alfriston, East Sussex
Zari’s Restaurant and Lounge, Crawley, West Sussex

Sussex Farmer of the Year sponsored by Spofforths
Carole Uridge (Townings Farm), North Chailey, East Sussex
Charlie Burrell (Knepp Castle Estate), West Grinstead, West Sussex
Charlie Hughes (Southview Farm), Bury, Nr Pulborough, West Sussex
Howard Corney (Court Garden Farm), Ditchling, East Sussex
John Ford (Priors Byne Farm), Partridge Green, West Sussex
Simon and Julia Feakes (Sussex Lamb), Green Street, Nr Horsham, West Sussex
Simon and Shon Sprackling (Rother Valley Organics), Rogate, West Sussex
The Goring Family (Wiston Estate), Washington, West Sussex
Tim and Charles Harrison (Pallinghurst Farm), Rudgwick, West Sussex
Tim Hassell (Goodwood Home Farm), Goodwood, West Sussex