Brighton describes itself as an “inclusive, free-thinking city” and the seaside resort in Sussex is quickly becoming one of the most desirable places to live and work.
With excellent transport links to London and the rest of the UK, Brighton is now one of Britain’s fastest-growing cities. Here are just some of the factors influencing Brighton’s rapid growth.
Economic Factors
Brighton has a £7.1bn economy with around 17,000 businesses based in the city. Whilst Brighton faces many of the same challenges as other UK cities, such as the ongoing cost of living crisis, and housing affordability, it is set to be the fourth fastest-growing UK city in 2023.
As a tourist hotspot in the South, Brighton has a thriving visitor economy, as well as a strong banking and finance sector, creative sector and digital and IT sector (CDIT).
Cultural Appeal
Brighton has a unique cultural scene, attracting talent and businesses to the area. With a thriving LGBTQ+ population, Brighton is considered the ‘unofficial gay capital of the UK’ and prides itself on being a diverse and welcoming city.
Brighton is home to England’s largest annual arts festival, Brighton Festival held in May every year, as well as Brighton Fringe, which showcases an array of events, performances and workshops. Brighton Kite Festival in July and Brighton Pride in August are also major events in the city’s calendar, attracting visitors from around the world.
Educational Institutions
Another factor influencing Brighton’s rapid growth is its high-ranking education institutions, including the University of Brighton and the University of Sussex, as well as the Brighton & Sussex Medical School. The city’s leading research universities have contributed to Brighton’s highly skilled workforce and provided opportunities for innovation.
Quality of Life
Brighton’s quality of life makes it an attractive place to live and work for many.
Brighton & Hove is home to the UK’s first and only Green MP and was also the first UK city to be awarded the prestigious Gold Sustainable Food Place Award. Brighton has also pledged to be Carbon Neutral by 2030 and boasts the UK’s first-ever self-sustaining building, Earthship Brighton.
The residents of Brighton are passionate about the environment and sustainability, as evidenced by many eco-friendly schemes running in the city, from regular litter-picking initiatives to keep its beach safe and clean, to Brighton’s very own freecycling platform, Freegle.
In addition to being a city that prioritises its natural environment, Brighton is also appealing for its recreation opportunities and the lifestyle it can offer its residents. The city is popular with students and young people thanks to universities, nightlife, retail, entertainment and job opportunities. Brighton is also a popular place to live for families with children due to its relatively affordable housing and good schools. One of Brighton’s biggest draws is the fact it has both the sea and beautiful countryside right on the doorstep, whilst still being in easy reach of the capital.
Conclusion
Given all Brighton has to offer, it’s hardly a surprise that it’s been named as one of the country’s fastest-growing cities, and providing it can rise to coming challenges, such as the energy crisis and skills gap, its popularity and growth looks set to continue.
