latest brighton & hove news
In Brief
HAIR AND CATWALK SHOW PLANNED TO HELP DEAF HAIRDRESSERS
A community group is putting on a catwalk and hair show to help dispel misconceptions about deaf hairdressers and to break down barriers. Hair Spirit said: “Deaf hairdressers face many barriers when trying to train or work as a hairdresser. Hair Spirit is a community group set up in response to this.”
Co-founder Jean West said that it aimed to encourage collaboration between deaf and hearing hairdressers and dispel misconceptions about deaf hairdressers and those aspiring to become a hairdresser. She said: “We also aim to improve the confidence of both deaf and hearing hairdressers working together.”
The Hair Spirit show is due to take place on Saturday 24 November at the Clarendon Centre in New England Street, Brighton. Deaf and hearing stylists, models and make-up artists will be getting together to put on this event. It includes a catwalk show, music, stalls, face painting and networking.
Tickets are available online at www.eventelephant.com/hairspiritevents or email generalhairspirit@gmail.com
CITY COLLEGE CHIEFS SET OUT PLANS FOR £73M MAKEOVER
Plans for a £73 million redevelopment of the main City College buildings have been shared with the public. The scheme will involve demolishing Pelham Tower and replacing it with 500 student flats after new college premises have been built on the neighbouring car park.
And the land between Pelham Street and York Place will be turned into housing, if the plans are approved. A formal planning application could be submitted to Brighton and Hove City Council by Christmas with college bosses aiming for work on the four to five-year project to start next autumn. Lynn Thackway, principal of City College Brighton and Hove, said: “Our buildings are not fit for purpose.”
The first phase of the scheme will involve building on the 130-space car park. Some disabled parking is included in the plans but the aim is to have a car-free scheme reflecting the good public transport links to the site, in particular bus and rail.
Scott Marshall, of This is Regeneration, said that the £73 million scheme would create the equivalent of 124 full-time construction jobs, mostly local. He said it would also pump an extra £1 million into the local economy, giving a much-needed lift to London Road, where the Open Market is due to reopen next summer. And the North Laine should also benefit.
See details of the plans at www.ccb.ac.uk.
TWO BUS LANES MAY BE USED BY MOTORBIKES FOR TRIAL PERIOD
Motorbikes are to be allowed two stretches of bus lanes in Brighton on a trial basis after a sustained campaign by the Motorcycle Action Group. A decision is to be made by Brighton and Hove City Council’s Transport Committee on Tuesday 27 November.
Councillor Tony Janio said evidence suggested that allowing motorbikes and scooters in bus lanes could help reduce congestion, improve road safety and even cut down on air pollution. He wants the trial extended to include the city centre.
The initial two stretches of bus lane are on the A23 between Carden Avenue and Preston Drove and the A259 between Longridge Avenue and the Ovingdean roundabout.
Fellow Conservative and Hove MP Mike Weatherley said: “It is great news that our work with the Motorcycle Action Group has paid off and that sharing bus lanes looks set to go ahead. However, I am exasperated that the council is proposing to spend yet more time and council taxpayers’ money trialling a scheme for a whole year when there is already ample evidence of the benefits. In my view they should just get on with it.”
