www.brightonandhoveindependent.co.uk
Friday, March 20 2015 Brighton & Hove Independent 5
@BrightonIndy
Snobbery lies behind Wetherspoon protests Dan Wilson @wilsondan
Gold Card_PRINT 18DEC_Cover.pdf
Brighton’s Klondike right now C is the London Road. It’s a land of re-invention and possibility. M Where once the greats came Y and went (farewell Woolies and CM Marks and Sparks), new titans MY dominate what the hip and trendy call Meat Street. CY It’s BBQ heaven. If a burger CMY can ever be ethical, you’ll get K it there from a troll. Gorge on ribs, sup a craft beer, shop in a supermarket that’s how it should JD Wetherspoon plans to open in the former Co-op building in London Road be, and ignore the outlet in London Road would Iceland. London Road To have a large vertical set us back all the gains we is Hipster Central, if drinking outlet in have made in recent times.” we believe the hype. The free-range organic cat And there is so London Road would set us from Infinity Foods is out of much to celebrate. The the Fairtrade cotton jute bag, Emporium is a delight. back all the gains we have it seems. It’s fab that behind made in recent times” It’s different when you the old Co-op facade mention the W word. The Do you remember the outrage hundreds of students muesli-fuelled NOletariat has now have digs in a building that when it was opened? No. Of course, you don’t. It was spoken. Alcampo Lounge, yes; was empty for too long. The Open Market is thankfully once again all good news when that fancy Wetherspoon’s, no. But what’s the difference chain moved into an empty unit vibrant and thriving. Everything down on London on London Road. They serve really? Aside from the carpets. The difference is class and Road is on the up. Even the old tapas and mojitos. Bright kids Blockbuster video store has been come by and do coding on a wealth. Many people seem to Saturday morning, while their think it’s fine for well-to-do folk re-invented as a bar. A national chain opened there parents drink flat whites and big to drink their afternoon away, while the kids run around in not long ago. They took over a pinot grigios before noon. But the latent snobbery of the Alcampo Lounge and similar large, empty premises. Now they Brighton’s ruling class came to venues. But it seems that a sell booze and food. It’s a big open space for the fore this week when it was Wetherspoon’s is déclassé. This city is already sodden drinking and eating. They say on reported that another chain their website that they are “open serving food and drink wanted to with alcohol. We have 24-hour all day every day, where families, open a branch down on London boozers and shops that sell cutprice drink at all hours, too. The friends, and local residents can Road in another empty unit. Andy Winter, the head of the vitriolic objections to one more come for a coffee, or a drink or something to eat in a relaxed and Brighton Housing Trust, said pub chain opening one more at a meeting: “Can we all agree outlet is nothing more than comfortable environment.” The Alcampo Lounge is quirky that it will be the mother of snobbery. Not least because the and stylish. Caroline Lucas has all fights if they try to open a objectors didn't speak up against been spotted in there sipping a Wetherspoon’s in the Co-op? To the middle-class drinking barn a tomato juice, so it must be OK. have a large vertical drinking few doors down. Budget
Transport
Seafront
Air ambulance
Cycling hubs
Torch walk
George Osborne, Chancellor of the Exchequer, praised a Hove air ambulance charity during his budget and promised to direct extra funds for it. He praised local charities across the country including the Lucy Air Ambulance that transports children requiring urgent care and is based in Hove. Lucy, which stands “Life’s Urgent Care for the Young”, transfers about 12,000 children each year and 10 per cent of these would benefit from the proposal.
Railway stations in the city are set to receive government funding of around £765,000 to improve bicycle facilities. Hove Railway Station Cycle Hub will see 150 extra cycle spaces and a maintenance, hire and repair business. London Road and Moulescoomb stations will also see improved shelter facilities, lighting and signage. A £1.5 million cycle hub at Brighton Station, with a café and space for 500 bikes, opens next week.
The seventh annual Seafront Torch Walk is set to take place to raise awareness of climate change. Brighton and Hove City Council’s Healthwalks team will be taking part in World Wildlife Fund’s Earth Hour by joining with WWF supporters, regular healthwalkers and local residents for the mile walk along the seafront. The Maracatu samba band will be playing Latin rhythms as walkers travel along from the Bandstand to Brighton Pier.
2
02/03/2015
12:55
MOBILE CARD NOW AVA I LABLE AT PA RT I C I PAT I N G V E N U ES O N LY
Over 40 exclusive o ffers SHOP EAT DRINK PLAY STAY
PLUS FREE PRIZE DRAW
Win a Mini One worth over £15,000!! terms & conditions apply
REGISTRATION IS FREE APPLY ONLINE TODAY:
www.brightonmarina.co.uk
1 MILE EAST OF BRIGHTON PIER