Is it just me or has Brighton gone downhill?

[Newmeagain]

I was there for a weekend about 15 or 16 years ago. I have memories of lots of interesting, independent shops and eating places, particularly in the lanes and around that area.

I went today and was really disappointed. No interesting shops, restaurants were mainly chains. Some nice independent coffee places but that’s about it.

Has it changed or are my memories clouded?

I’ve lived in Hove for years (the other ‘half’ of Brighton). It’s always been considered the posh part, but until about ten years ago I thought it was dull and always shopped and socialised in Brighton.

That’s really changed now - the mile long Church Road in Hove is now full of lovely restaurants and cool bars and, crucially, nice clientele.

Brighton has sadly gone quite downhill. The North Laines area is still very vibrant and chock full of independent shops and cafes, but it caters for a very young crowd.

The posher South Lanes is suffering for the first time though sadly as shops are starting to close down.

One of the biggest changes though is the increase in homeless drug addicts in Brighton, which has really affected its vibe, particularly in the South Lanes and Churchill Square area. Hove hasn’t been affected by this thankfully.

No. Mind you I don't think I've ever seen a fight in my life, anywhere.

Terre a terre is amazing. The North Laine is favourite area.

I lived near London road last year. I saw a fight outside my window nearly every night. Really scary people high on drugs. I saw a man get punched several times

Early nineties, 5 in a fiesta, Saturday night down to Brighton from Crawley to go clubbing at The Event.

Those were the days.

We are in our early 60s as well but maybe I get the vibe because we also get crowds, stags and hens and lots of indie shops and bars etc in Bath . Also really liked the wine bar next to tonkatsu and what’s with that ludicrously cheap Italian a couple of doors up - so cheap it was like going back to 1998 and was packed. When our son was little we used to get the train down from London and go to Donatello - it was his favourite pretty reasonable treat when little - the one we went to in Hove was Ginger Pig - that was excellent!! Have had some good times there - yep really liked Blossoms, lovely vibe and really nice staff and good wine at a sensible price

The seafront to the west in Hove has also had some amazing developments in the past few years, which day-trippers to Brighton probably aren’t aware of - two lovely big restaurants, Babble and Rockwater, and a lot of sports facilities next to the beach.

Another thing I love is that beautiful countryside is just a 15 minute drive from Brighton and Hove.

Hi! Which beautiful countryside are you talking about?

We went to Babble for lunch on Saturday- such a nice spot.

The South Downs National Park lies just north of Brighton and Hove. Absolutely beautiful.

Ah nice I haven't made it there yet

Eastbourne…hmmm…

I met a friend for lunch there last summer who lives in a nearby village. Parking up I was thinking gosh this is so much cleaner and better kept than Brighton.

Then we walked to the central area and there was literally no one under 75 it seemed. We went to M&S afterwards and there were three people browsing on mobility scooters!

If you've lived in Hove for years why do you think the Lanes is called the South Lanes? Rooky error!

I think that worthing is quite nice

Is it not? I hear people calling it that

I must admit that, when I visited some years ago, it seemed like a giant old folks home. I even had an elderly lady ask me to help her up some steps.

Nope ! Two different places. In fact I realised after I posted that I had spelt them wrong. It's The Lanes and North Laine

Well people just make up names so I guess it doesn't matter. South laines must have started as a nickname somewhere

What's being black got to do with it?

IIRC ‘Laine’ was an old term for field and ‘North Laine’ refers to an area which was previously farmland. The term ‘Laine’ is completely unrelated to The Lanes. I was put right by a long term resident not long after I moved here!

You can see how people would get confused though

Very easily! And I was for years!

I'm still confused and I live in brighton! So where is North laine?

I think it's the bit between North Road to the south and Trafalgar Street to the north.

The South Downs National Park. We regularly drive to either Summersdown car park, or the small car park opposite Saddlescombe Farm, and then walk around the hill.

Also Wolstonbury Hill near Hassocks is beautiful - we park in the Jack and Jill pub car park and walk from there. Also 15 minutes drive.