Brighton: Council stops 'rave' from going ahead on beach

Revellers were set to descend on the coast near the beach huts alongside Kingsway in Hove this evening for a night of "drum and bass, and Ibiza tunes".

But Brighton and Hove City Council has told the organiser in no uncertain terms that the party does not have the permission to go ahead.

Hove beach

The event, which was advertised on event platforms Meetup and Eventbrite, garnered over 100 responses from revellers set to enjoy a night of tunes to the backdrop of the sunset.

Residents and beach hut owners raised their concerns for the event on local Facebook groups, with one member worried about "glass, litter, toilets" and the number of people which could be attending.

The event was advertised as a way for people to "make new friends and soak up the high vibes of Brighton and Hove".

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A poster for the party read: "Get your summer started by dancing on the beach to your favourite drum and bass & Ibiza tunes and take a swim in the sea as the sun goes down."

However a spokesman for the city council said: "It was too late for us to be able to consult with Sussex Police and the Coastguard, so we have not been able to grant the party permission to go ahead."

It was advertised to kick off at 7.30pm and finish around 10pm, with DJs advertised and body painters to get revellers "in the mood".

Organisers said there would be no bar at the event but partygoers are welcome to bring their own alcohol.

Revellers were sent home from an illegal rave near Shoreham Port in 2021

The spokesman for the council also said: "Unfortunately we found out only very recently about the ‘rave and swim’ event advertised for Hove seafront this evening.

"We have not been able to grant it permission to go ahead and have contacted the organiser to make this clear. We have also notified Sussex Police.

“It is a shame that people are disappointed when organisers of events like this do not follow the right procedures.

“We don’t want to spoil the party, but local residents have to be considered. And the council’s priority has to be public safety.”

Several police cars were at the scene of the rave in 2021

In 2021, police swooped in on an illegal rave near Shoreham port over the course of a weekend.

Officers seized equipment after hundreds gathered on the beach in July.