Certainly in the past year or so thats been a daunting task with the job market being seen to be ‘challenging’ to say the least. But as I’ve written on many earlier occasions, Brighton is still very well served by both the large multi-national employers as well as the entrepreneurial set-up companies which is proving to be a key to the future prosperity of the city.

Traditionally the Evening Argus and the High St Recruitment Agencies have been a good access route to the local work market – but you only have to witness the closed down offices of some of the longest established recruitment agencies to know that avenue is not as rich as it once was.

And thats where a new Brighton based website and organisation come in. http://www.brightonjobsearch.com is a site aimed purely at guiding both employers and potential employees through the market palce and making the necessary introductions. With so many graduates of the universities and colleges in the city staying on to live here after graduating, not only is it providing a service to them, but its also ensuring that all that talent finds a home in Brighton and contributes to our ongoing success and future prosperity!

They also provide a wealth of advice and information about the job search process and how to maximise your effectiveness with your job hunt. If youre looking to set up roots in Brighton then this is a good place to start!

If you’d like to arrange accommodation during the month  then check our our self catering Brighton properties and see what suits you best!

BrightonShortBreaks.com™ – 0845 500 9486
contact@brightonshortbreaks.com

Caroline Lucas has made history of course as the first Green MP to be elected to the House of Commons, but Brighton and Hove have been making inroads into a greener and more sustainable future for a few years now!

One of the best sites you can explore as a visitor to the city is the Visit Brighton website and you’ll see there that the title was awarded by an Asda survey – which actually focuses on the purchasing of recycled goods, and the consumption of organic foods – ie as ‘Green’ consumers – but the Visit Brighton site also details some of the other ways the city does its bit to lead the way forward in terms of ecological responsibility.

I already wrote earlier about the fantastic Jubilee Library which was awarded the Observer Ethical Award for its design and construction – but its Brighton’s Beach that I want to particularly praise here, as no visit to our city is complete without it.

It has been awarded the prestigious Blue Flag Award – The Blue Flag Programme is owned and run by the independent non-profit organisation Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE).

The Blue Flag works towards sustainable development at beaches/marinas through strict criteria dealing with water quality, environmental education and information, environmental management, and safety and other services.

It is the body’s independence and non-biased status that gives the award its true value – and it received the award based on the quality of the water as well as the cleanliness of the beach itself – which is cleaned daily. Brighton beach is also especially rich in the range of shops and stalls along the front itself – with art galleries, a museum, bars and clubs – as well as the essential bucket and spade emporiums!

The summer is forecast to be a warm one – but Brighton promises a great destination whatever the weather!

If you’d like to arrange accommodation during the month  then check our our self catering Brighton properties and see what suits you best!

BrightonShortBreaks.com™ – 0845 500 9486
contact@brightonshortbreaks.com

In the report published by the Centre For Cities think tank  (no, Id never heard of them either but I wont let that dampen my optimism) they cited the high levels of education in the city, as well as  the  entrepreneurial strength in the city.

Brighton and Hove hold the great position of having more businesses per head than any other city after London – ie the population is a good at setting up new businesses. They also point out the strong band of established white collar employers which buoy the cities finances – American Express and EDF being particular examples.

This all bodes well for the thousands of restaurants and bars in the city which attract so many tourists – because nothing deters visitors more than a bank of boarded up shops and restaurants. It also bodes well for the further growth of our city – and whilst I would argue that growth for growths sake isn’t necessarily a good thing – in the light of recent cut backs within the Council facilities  (see my earlier article about the closure of Brighton History Centre) – if growth and prosperity can safeguard the fabric of Brighton and Hove’s history and present day identity, then Im glad to grab any growth going!

More business growth, more prosperity, then more taxes going into the councils piggy-bank, and with proper management that should translate into better facilities for everyone. Brighton prides itself on fulfilling its social responsibilities to its citizens, (and I’m particularly thinking of the large number of the homeless that the city attracts) so lets hope whilst the fortunate amongst us enjoy the glittering pleasures of gleaming bars and restaurants, and air conditioned and fully staffed Libraries and Museums  this boom in prosperity can also translate into more quality shelters and facilites for both staff and residents alike.

If you’d like to arrange accommodation during the month  then check our our self catering Brighton properties and see what suits you best!

BrightonShortBreaks.com™ – 0845 500 9486
contact@brightonshortbreaks.com

20 years after Mrs Thatcher broke political ground by becoming the first ever female Prime Minister the complaint that the halls of Westminster are still a male dominated territory ring just as loudly as ever! So, Brighton and Hove’s all female  short list of Parliamentary candidates gives some encouragement to a potential future change of ground in the gender balance in the political power world.

Being quoted in The Argus , Fawcett Society chief executive Ceri Goddard said: “If all the candidates are women that is cause for celebration but also concern that it has taken until 2009, whereas all-male elections are still the norm.

“The voters if Brighton can be pleased that whom ever they elect they will be a step closer to closing the gender gap in parliament where currently less than 20% of our MP’s are women – less than Iraq, Afghanistan and Rwanda.”

‘Less than Iraq, Afghanistan and Rwanda……… ‘ – personally that particular statement left me slightly disconcerted about the state of our political arena and curious as to the reasons for male domination above and beyond the historical precedence that men should have it all their own way – and its a whole Pandoras box of discussion that is best left for another place.

But my purpose here today is as – as always – to fly the flag for Brighton and Hove and demonstrate how forward thinking and politically aware our population is, and having  a ratio of men to women in parliament  more representative of the population, is in my opinion, a step in the right direction!

If you’re anything like me then knowing that your home town is featured as the setting for a film always generates a much greater level of interest that just the latest Hollywood release.  Visit Brighton, and organisation deidcated to promoting tourism to the area, and more importantly I think, making that tourist experience a first rate experience, have recognised that and created the Brighton Movie audio tour that residents and visitors alike can download and follow the trail around the city, taking in all the points of cinematographic interest at their own pace, and at a time they choose, rather than having to tag onto the back of an organised walking tour!

Fiona Sturges of the Independent trialled it and her report on the 26th of September gave it the thumbs up! She did the tour and was not only intrigued by the film locations but mentions how suprised she was by just how influential Brighton had been to the actual development of the cinema industry and its early steps into mass entertainment.

The tour covers perennial favourites such as locations from Brighton Rock, Quadrephenia, Oh What A Lovely War, Genevieve and the Barbra Streisand movie On A Clear Day, which heavily  featured the Royal Pavilion as a backdrop to the action.

In addition to the locations, the tour plays particular attention to addresses such as Victoria Hall where one of the earliest know projectors was used to show 10 one minute films to paying audiences, as well as homage to The Duke of York’s picture house, as being one of the oldest purpose built cinemas in Britain.

The podcast can be downloaded from www.visitbrighton.com and the beauty of it is that you can use it again and again, you can rewind it when you missed a bit, and you can then hand it to you nearest and dearest so they can enjoy it too, saving you the expense of a group tour!

If you’d like to arrange accommodation during the festival then check our our property pages and see what suits you best!

BrightonShortBreaks.com™ – 0845 500 9486
contact@brightonshortbreaks.com

Sussex Land Girls Come To Brighton Museum

The uniform is the trigger for the whole experience – where it was made, who wore it, how women felt about it and the reactions they encountered.
The exhibitions also considers the lives of former land girls today, and the enduring appeal of an idealised image of the Women’s Land Army in memorabilia, vintage and fashion clothing and re-enactment.

Including loans from national museums and major art collections, and individuals, museums and history societies throughout Sussex, The Land Girls marks the 70th anniversary of the onset of World War Two and the resurgence of the Women’s Land Army.

Lasting from November through to March 2010 the exhibition promises to be something worth returning to more than once to really appreciate the contribution these women made to the local areas ability to survive the hardships of the war period.

If you’d like to arrange accommodation during the festival then check out our property pages and see what suits you best!

BrightonShortBreaks.com™ – 0845 500 9486
contact@brightonshortbreaks.com

White Night Brighton Returns!

Commencing on the 24th of October, its an extraordinary experience walking the streets at 1am to find the roads with pedestrians as busy as a Bank Holiday Monday, and its not just the clubbers and late night drinkers who have dropped into the library after a serious nights partying to research liver damage, or swim off a hundred or so alcohol calories in the pool. The crowds are a real cross section – with everything from young children through to Senior citizens making the most of the cities ameneties – all of which offer free entry – so a great opportunity to experience facilites which may have gone untested before because of the expense of getting a whole family past the ticket desk!

Other than the civic facilities offering their services there are a huge wealth of entertainers, caterers, vendors, musicians, dancers and exhibitions to enliven the event – so just walking around the city can provide a nights entertainment if youve got the stamina.

Check out the website for more details – and I recommend especial attention to the events organised in the Jubilee Library – last year there were performances, reading, exhibitions and you could even check out a book!

Strictly speaking an all night event doesn’t necessarily require overnight accommodation – but if you’re not sure you and your party have the mettle to get through the the early morning train home then check out our properties and arrange some welcome respite when your legs finally refuse to keep walking at 4 in the morning!

BrightonShortBreaks.com™ – 0845 500 9486
contact@brightonshortbreaks.com

With the participation of some of the best names in Early Music this years festival offers a real treat for music lovers in the area and welcomes visitors to the city.

Starting on the 23rd of October and continuing until the 8th of November there  are events in  venues throughout the town. This years big names include the Orlando Consort, Alison Bury, Tempus Fugit, as well as the welcome return of Emma Kirkby who has dazzled audiences in previous years.

A particular highlight is always the recording of the BBC Radio 3 programme ’Early Music’ – allowing the audience and opprotunity to see soem of the great talents of this genre is a more informal and relaxed environment as well as having the opportunity to hear some of the best recordings and artists personal recommendations.

With the event spread over a number of weeks, the organisers are hoping to encourage repeat attendances by the dedicated fans as well as encouraging listeners new to this genre to dip their toe in the Early Music water.

If you’d like to arrange accommodation during the festival then check our our property pages and see what suits you best!

BrightonShortBreaks.com™ – 0845 500 9486
contact@brightonshortbreaks.com

Be a part of the modern art world this autumn

This autumn sees the return of the Brighton Art Fair to the South Coast of England.
Brighton’s stunning Corn Exchange building is cutting ties with its Regency past and hosting the sixth annual contemporary Art Fair from Friday 2nd October to Sunday 4th October, 2009.
And with over 120 new, up and coming and established artists showing and selling their work, the fair is the place to be for art lovers this autumn.
Artists working in all mediums will be exhibiting. The best of 2009′s painters, printmakers, ceramicists, photographers and sculptors will be showing off their very now work.
The fair offers arty and on the ball Brightonians the opportunity to pick up some hot and edgy contemporary works of art for between £50 and £1500. Fancy beating Charles Saatchi to this year’s Tracey Emin?
And tourists too can buy themselves a slice of the art-tastic action if they can get themselves to Brighton for the weekend. It’s always a good idea to get yourself a self catered flat for a low-key, home from home city break.
This art festival is the largest exhibition on the South Coast and attracts a capacity crowd of 5000. Make sure you buy your ticket in advance to avoid disappointment.
Go get yourself some art this autumn. Perhaps you just like the way it looks or you urgently need to break up your Ikea heavy sitting room with a unique  piece of contemporary art or you’ve got an eye for an arty investment. Go see, buy and soak up the atmostphere. What have you got to lose?

BrightonShortBreaks.com™ – 0845 500 9486
contact@brightonshortbreaks.com
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Brighton Seafront Crackles With Excitement

With such a small amount of time to impress – and such a mountain of public good-will to (re)establish – then the few minutes stage time each of the key players are allotted really adds up to pressure way and beyond that which most civilians are ever called upon to endure. BUT with the UK Air Guitar championships being held in Brighton this week that kind of pressure is tangible in the air up and down the sea front. This week Concorde 2 along Madeira Drive are hosting this fun event which attracts a following of truly dedicated acolytes. See their website for more details.

Somewhat annoyingly, the Labour Party, clearly trying to ride on the shirt tails of this popular event, have created major problems for any serious music lovers trying to get accommodation in Brighton and Hove over this week with all the party members and journalists hogging all the hotels and boarding houses offering anything resembling a late night licence. But Brighton Short Breaks can provide quality accommodation – every flat and apartment supplied with a fridge just perfect for chilling the champagne, ready to toast the UK Championship winners in their triumph!

BrightonShortBreaks.com™ – 0845 500 9486
contact@brightonshortbreaks.com