Council

Agenda Item 63   

Subject:                    Winter Economy

Date of meeting:    18 December 2025

Proposer:                 Councillor Miller

Seconder:                Councillor Asaduzzaman

Ward(s) affected:   All

Notice of Motion

Labour Group Amendment

That deletions are made as shown with strikethrough below and additional recommendations are added as shown in bold italics below:

This council notes:

1) Brighton & Hove is a popular tourist destination but could be a better less successful as a winter and Christmas destination.  The city still receiveds 12.2a million fewer visitors in 2024, almost back to per year compared to pre-pandemic levels. 

2) The Brighton Festival, Brighton Pride, and the London to Brighton Bike Ride occur in late spring and summer, but weather prevents there are no similaroutdoor winter events.

3) The pier’s owners recently commented that Brighton was not attracting enough tourists, and the pier itself might be sold because of declining profits. Although the ice rink will need to move due to the Pavilion Gardens restoration, the council and operator are already exploring alternative sites may not return after this for next year. 

4) Burning the Clocks is paused but returns next was cancelled due to funding challenges, and there is no Christmas market this year. The Administration is already receiving excellent local Christmas market proposals for 2026.

5) Businesses in the Brilliant Brighton BID work hard to provide the wonderful Christmas lights for the city centre. but opinion is divided on how good they are. Churchill Square shopping centre makes the news because of how poor its Christmas tree is, not because of how good it is.  

6) There is no specific mention of improving the winter economy in The Administration’s Brighton & Hove Economic Plan requires that the council, “Develop an ambitious major events calendar to include a diverse range of festivals/events across the year”

7) The council’s Shop Local scheme encourages residents to frequent our brilliant independent shops and the Administration froze parking charges and is keeping bus fares affordable. is begging residents to shop locally when the administration is putting off shoppers with high parking fees and high tax. 

8) Employer national insurance contributions have increased considerably encouraging unemployment. The last Government’s Brexit legacy casts a long shadow, inhibiting employment and contributing to food and drink inflation which is 4.9%, which is damaging to our essential hospitality industry. 

Therefore, Council resolves to:

1) Request the Chair of Place Overview & Scrutiny Committee considers setting up a Scrutiny Task & Finish Group focused on Brighton & Hove’s winter and Christmas and night time economy to ensure Brighton attracts tourists all year round. 

Recommendations to read if carried:

This council notes:

1) Brighton & Hove is a popular tourist destination but less successful as a winter and Christmas destination.  The city received 12.2 million visitors in 2024, almost back to pre-pandemic levels. 

2) The Brighton Festival, Brighton Pride, and the London to Brighton Bike Ride occur in late spring and summer, but weather prevents similar outdoor winter events.

3) Although the ice rink will need to move due to the Pavilion Gardens restoration, the council and operator are already exploring alternative sites for next year. 

4) Burning the Clocks is paused but returns next year. The Administration is already receiving excellent local Christmas market proposals for 2026. 

5) Businesses in the Brilliant Brighton BID work hard to provide wonderful Christmas lights for the city centre.

6) The Administration’s Brighton & Hove Economic Plan requires that the council, “Develop an ambitious major events calendar to include a diverse range of festivals/events across the year”

7) The council’s Shop Local scheme encourages residents to frequent our brilliant independent shops and the Administration froze parking charges and is keeping bus fares affordable.

8) The last Government’s Brexit legacy casts a long shadow, inhibiting employment and contributing to food and drink inflation, which is 4.9%, damaging to our essential hospitality industry. 

Therefore, Council resolves to:

1) Request the Chair of Place Overview & Scrutiny Committee considers setting up a Scrutiny Task & Finish Group focused on Brighton & Hove’s winter Christmas and nighttime economy to ensure Brighton attracts tourists all year round.