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Behind Brighton’s Buzz: A Candid Conversation with Gavin Stewart on Business, Growth, and What’s Next for Our City

  • 3 hours ago
  • 3 min read

When you think of Brighton, you probably think of independent shops, quirky cafes, and beachside charm; not business infrastructure, urban planning or devolution. But behind every colourful bunting strand or Christmas light switch-on, there’s a whole engine of strategy and collaboration that keeps the city running.


Lyndsey sat down with Gavin Stewart, a man with fingers in many pies, including:

  • CEO of Brilliant Brighton (Brighton’s BID)

  • Executive Director of the Brighton & Hove Growth Board

  • Consultant, lecturer, and city connector


Together, we unpack everything from chewing gum stats to tourism levies, high street myths to the future of jobs in Brighton.



Brighton city centre at night, with festive Christmas lights reading 'Brilliant Brighton – The Heart of the City' illuminated above the street. Double-decker buses and pedestrians move along the road, with shops and a clock tower in the background.

What Even Is a BID? (And Why It Matters)

The Brighton BID (Business Improvement District) exists to help Brighton thrive, not just economically, but visually and experientially too. From floral displays and bunting in the summer, to security teams and festive lights in the winter, the BID delivers services that many assume are council-funded (but aren’t).


Funded by businesses through a levy, the BID brings in over £2.6 million of private investment, money that helps improve the city centre through projects the business community chooses and votes on.


🧠 Fun fact: Brighton’s retail vacancy rate in the BID area is just 4.3%, compared to a national average of 13–14%.


From Public Realm to Public Pride

What’s “public realm”? According to Gavin, it’s everything you see and experience when you walk through the city. The pavements. The bins. The benches. The vibe. It all matters, and it all affects tourism, business investment, and our sense of belonging.

One of Gavin’s standout points? Look and feel isn’t fluff, it’s strategy. If a city looks neglected, businesses won’t invest. Visitors won’t return. Locals won’t shop.

“Brighton is a jewel — and she deserves to sparkle.”

💡 It costs £40,000 to remove chewing gum from Brighton’s busiest streets. That effort is short-lived, and the budget is long gone. It’s just one example of how stretched city funds really are.


Colorful street scene with vibrant murals of a monkey and zebra on shops. People walk past "JU*JU" sign. Bright blue sky, urban setting.

Brighton’s Economic Puzzle: Jobs, Wages & Who Gets Left Out

Despite an impressive £10 billion economic output, Brighton is still a low-wage city. Why?

🔹 A large public sector, where salaries are often capped

🔹 Financial services that operate as back-office support, not high-end hubs

🔹 A huge reliance on hospitality, retail and tourism, sectors known for lower pay


Meanwhile, Brighton produces 7,000+ university graduates a year — many of whom stay, love the city, and end up taking roles they’re overqualified for. This creates a skills mismatch, making it harder for school leavers to access starter jobs.


Brighton is also:

  • One of the top cities in the UK for startups

  • Also one of the highest for startup failures

  • Facing a growing gender pay gap, with women earning ~£10k less on average


The Role of Devolution — And Why It’s Coming for Brighton

One of Gavin’s most exciting (and urgent) topics is Sussex devolution.


With a new Sussex-wide elected mayor on the way, areas like Brighton & Hove will see more regional power over:

  • 🏘 Housing

  • 🌍 Environment

  • 🚌 Transport

  • 🚨 Public safety

  • 📈 Economic growth


That means new funding pots, more control over decision-making — and a huge opportunity to shape how Brighton and the wider region evolve.

“We need to be ready. We can't wait for the mayor to arrive and then scramble. We need our top priorities lined up now.”

Street scene with pastel-colored buildings, a "Dukes Lane" sign, people walking, a seagull flying overhead, and a clear blue sky.

Business Voice = Collective Action

From bus networks to business rates, every issue is interconnected. And Gavin’s role, as he sees it, isn’t to dictate the direction, but to facilitate the conversation.

Whether he’s chairing the Business Growth Board or sitting in on VisitBrighton or Tourism Alliance meetings, Gavin’s mission is to connect the dots, and help everyone have a voice at the table.


His ask for Brighton’s business community?

📣 Get involved. Speak up. Feed into consultations. Help shape the future.

Because decisions will be made, the question is whether your voice is part of them.


Final Thoughts: Brighton is Brilliant — But It Takes Work

From better bins to cleaner streets, better jobs to more joined-up strategy, Brighton is full of potential, but it’s also at a turning point.


And people like Gavin, and organisations like Brilliant Brighton, are helping make sure we don’t just talk about change, but build it together.


 
 
 

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