Viva Brighton Issue 34 December 2015

ighton business news
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In the name of all that’s fiercely independent, the
boys at Bison Beer are leading plans to revive
the derelict lower floors of the Grade II-listed
Clarendon Mansions, at the seaside end of East
Street. Formerly a pub, the building fell vacant
four years ago. In a bid to hold back the arrival of
Burger King on this listed corner of the Lanes - a
bid supported by 11,500 city residents who registered
their concerns in an online petition - they’ve
formed a collective of small local business owners.
Their plan is to open The Bison Arms, a pub that
would champion everything about Brighton and
Sussex, with locally sourced craft beers and real
ales served from the tap room, collaborations with
local chefs in the kitchen, local artists designing
the interiors, and exhibitions of work, books and
photographs by local artists and writers. They’re
also looking to fund the project locally and have
started a crowdfunder campaign to help pay for
phase one of the project; reviving the ground
floor and opening the pub doors. Phase two, the
reopening of the lower ground floor, would follow
when the pub is up and running. So they’re inviting
investors, large and small, to become involved
in the project. In return for your contribution
you’ll have a stake in the business as it grows and
enjoy benefits including discounts, events and gifts
– as well as the warm feeling of being there at the
beginning. The Bison Arms will be a pub funded,
built, staffed, supplied and frequented by the
people of Brighton and Sussex. A truly local local.
[thebisonarms.co.uk]
There’s more crowdfunding afoot in Shoreham,
where Alice Maplesden and Katy Harris need
help kitting out their pottery workshop in Tarmount
Studios, so that they can offer affordable
classes regardless of age and ability. [crowdfunder.
co.uk/shoreham-pottery]
Don’t forget to shop local and support our
independent traders this Christmas. Stop by
IndieMart at the bottom of North Street for a
whole load of them under one roof. Up the hill in
Hanover, MacMan has been helping Brighton’s
Mac users for many years. Their Brighton shop, at
46 Quebec Street, has recently been refurbished,
making more room for preowned and new Macs
as well as Apple accessories and Sonos sound systems
(definitely on our Christmas list). They still
offer repairs, upgrades and visits to your home or
business too. 01273 806 939. [themac-man.co.uk]
If your business is thinking of sharing a bit of
good will this Christmas, Chestnut Tree House,
the children’s hospice for Sussex needs your help.
Whether it’s competitive mince-pie eating, musical
Christmas jumper day, or enforced reindeer
antlers and Santa suits (both available from the
hospice’s Fundraising Team), do it to raise a smile
– and a bit of cash – for Chestnut Tree House.
Call 01903 871820 or sign up at chestnut-treehouse.org.uk/getfestive
for a free fundraising pack.
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