The organisers of a popular city festival have been forced to rethink plans for its return after the council allocated its former home to another event.
Brighton Spiegeltent had hoped to stage a comeback in May 2027 after two years away during the Valley Gardens redevelopment.
But organisers say Brighton and Hove City Council has allocated its former Old Steine home to a separate event, SpiegelGardens, for the May period.
SpiegelGardens, which launched in 2025, involves Brighton Fringe and The Laine Pub Company, Brighton Spiegeltent’s former bar partner.
But it is an entirely separate operation, run by a different team.
The festival's organisers are now discussing a September return with the council, although no agreement is yet in place.
Spiegeltent founder and producer Adrian Bristow said the team had been looking forward to its return to Old Steine and the change had come as "a real disappointment".
The festival was established in 2014 and has since presented ten seasons.
Its last event at the site was in 2024, before the Valley Gardens redevelopment displaced it in 2025 and 2026.
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The acclaimed programme has included cabaret, live music, circus, comedy and dance in previous years.
Organisers have recently formed a new partnership with Brighton-based event bar and hospitality company Orange Beach Bars and are developing another with arts and health charity Culture Shift.
A spokesperson for the festival team urged people to help support its return.
“If you would like to see us return in 2027, please add your voice, spread the word, and let us know you would be there," they said.
"Your support will help shape what happens next. We would love to welcome you back.”
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