Residents and communities at the heart of new outdoor events strategy

Each year, thousands of people visit Brighton & Hove to enjoy a diverse and exciting outdoor events programme – and we want to make sure it stays that way!

Outdoor events provide a huge economic boost for the city, as well as enhancing its reputation as a national and international leisure and creative destination.

Demand for events to be held here is growing, applications are increasing and events are getting bigger.

Last year, Brighton & Hove welcomed the Women’s Rugby World Cup – one of just eight cities chosen to host this prestigious international sporting event. Building on this success, the council is also hoping to be selected as a host city for the FIFA Women’s World Cup in 2035.

Many major events return each year, with highlights including Brighton Marathon, and Pride, firmly embedded in the calendar and putting the city on the map.

Last year these, along with 10 festivals and more than 150 community events, brought more than an estimated £120 million into the city, through hotel stays and spending in shops restaurants and leisure activities, enhancing both day and nighttime economies and supporting local businesses.

But, co-ordinating a diverse and year-round programme of events brings its challenges.

Every year, the council receives hundreds of requests to stage events in and around the city and officers work hard to produce a programme that balances economic benefits with the effects on the environment and residents’ quality of life.

When considering granting permission, it’s important that council officers identify and assess any potential negative effects, and work with organisers to minimise any harm or lasting impact. This includes asking for detailed Environmental Impact Assessments and action plans, along with a Sustainable Event Commitment which was introduced last year.

These help to ensure events are planned and delivered in a way that protects our natural spaces, minimises environmental impact and meets the sustainability standards we expect from all organisers.

Now the council has gone one step further and produced a new Outdoor Events Strategy, setting out how events will be managed in the city over the next five years.

With a focus on inclusion, accessibility and the environment, the strategy puts residents at the heart of its aims, as it strives to:

• Encourage diverse events and develop homegrown organisations
• Ensure events are fair and inclusive to all
• Develop an events programme that increases revenue for the city
• Create a positive and favourable working environment, to help ensure the city remains an attractive prospect for event organisers
• Create policy that protects the natural environment
• Improve community ownership of events
• Ensure events promote and enable healthy lifestyles and active travel
• Ensure the events programme speaks directly to local visitor partnership aims and objectives

The strategy will also see council teams working closely with local communities, to oversee events and manage any issues which arise, such as unsanctioned events, antisocial behaviour or excessive noise.

Councillor Birgit Miller, Cabinet member for Culture, Heritage and Tourism, said: “We are extremely proud of our year-round events programme, which has seen the city gain an enviable reputation as a centre for creativity and diversity and world class sporting events.

“Events make a huge contribution to the city economy, attracting visitors from around the world and offering new and different reasons to study, work and spend time in the city.

“They also bring people together, connecting them with their communities and creating a sense of community spirit and pride for those attending.

“As we look to the future, with our new Outdoor Events Strategy in place, we look forward to building on our achievements and delivering events that are richer in impact and more meaningful for both residents and visitors.

“With stronger partnerships, more sustainable practices, enhanced public health outcomes and deeper engagement with communities, we can deliver an outdoor events programme that helps the city to thrive and truly reflects and celebrates the spirit of Brighton & Hove.”