A campaign has been initiated calling for Brighton and Hove City Council to officially rename the city, adopting “Brighton” as the sole name and removing “Hove” from the title.
Petitioners behind the proposal emphasize that Hove would still be recognized as a “unique and vibrant district” within the city, with its distinct identity and heritage preserved. The suggested change aims to create a unified identity under one city name while celebrating the individuality of its constituent areas.
“This isn’t about erasing Hove’s unique identity,” the petition reads. “Hove will still be known as Hove, but as an integral part of Brighton. The rich character and history of Hove will continue to be celebrated, maintaining its sense of place within a connected city.”
The campaigners argue that adopting “Brighton” as the official name would strengthen the city’s global appeal, boost tourism, and attract investment, while fostering a deeper sense of unity within the community. They claim the single name would reflect how residents already perceive the area: as one connected city.
The petition has so far gathered nine signatures on the council’s official petition page, with a deadline of June 3, 2025, for more signatures. According to council rules, a petition will be discussed at a full council meeting if it reaches 1,250 signatures.
Historical Context: How Did Brighton and Hove Get Its Name?
The union of Brighton and Hove into a single authority dates back to 1997, when the two towns became a unitary authority. This was followed by Queen Elizabeth II granting the area city status in 2001.
Earlier, in 1994, the Local Government Commission for England proposed that Brighton remain independent while Hove merge with Adur and Worthing as part of council reforms in East Sussex. Public consultations, however, revealed mixed opinions, with over a quarter of respondents across Brighton and Hove supporting the merger of the two towns, even though that was not an official option.
Hove Borough Council opposed unification with Brighton and preferred either remaining independent or merging with Adur. However, Adur and Worthing councils rejected the idea of merging with Hove, and Hove’s smaller population size made it unviable as a standalone authority.
In the commission’s final recommendations, Brighton and Hove were united under a single council—a decision that paved the way for the city’s current identity.
Next Steps for the Campaign
As the petition seeks to gather momentum, its success hinges on public support. Residents have until June 2025 to make their voices heard on whether the city should simply be known as “Brighton” or retain its dual-name heritage.
For more information or to sign the petition, visit Brighton and Hove City Council’s petition page.
