Brighton & Hove Council's advice for keeping safe in the city this Bank Holiday Weekend

With the May Day Bank Holiday weekend approaching, we’re asking all our residents and visitors to enjoy the three day break safely and responsibly.

With lockdown restrictions easing, more of us are going to be visiting the city’s bars, cafés, restaurants, pubs and other hospitality venues which have been able to reopen outdoor areas.

We’re also expecting the seafront to be busier as more of us take the opportunity to meet with friends and family for what will be, in some cases, for the first time in months. We know just how important these reunions are to you.

Covid-19

Although we’re able to socialise more, Covid-19 remains a risk to us all and we should continue to follow the Government guidelines and restrictions. Remember, we have 8 miles of beach so there’s plenty of space for everyone to spread out.

You can meet up outdoors with friends and family you do not live with, either:

• in a group of up to 6 from any number of households (children of all ages count towards the limit of 6)
• in a group of any size from up to two households (each household can include an existing support bubble, if eligible)

Rapid testing

If you’re meeting up with friends or family, why not pick up a rapid testing kit to test before you head out? With 1 in 3 people with Covid-19 showing no symptoms, rapid testing remains an important way to spot cases and prevent spreading. If you test positive, isolate and book a follow up test. 

More information on rapid testing. 

Keep Brighton & Hove Tidy

We’ve recently carried out a deep clean of the city’s streets to support the reopening of the city’s retail and hospitality businesses. We’ve also put an additional large 70 bins along the seafront, meaning we have more than 400 in total. 

• Put your rubbish in the bins
• If the bins are full, take it home with you
• You could face a £150 fine for littering if you don’t

Responsible and respectful drinking

With more outdoor socialising on the seafront, in our parks and open spaces, we’re asking people to drink responsibly and respectfully this weekend. 

• Know your limits
• Be aware of others and keep your distance
• Be respectful of people living and working nearby
• Don’t take glass bottles onto the beach or leave them next to bins

If you become separated from friends of realise you’ve had too much to drink, you can also visit the YMCA Safe Space

You can report a noise problem on our website

Sea safety

The city’s lifeguards don’t begin patrolling our beaches until the end of May and so won’t be in place this Bank Holiday weekend. Brighton & Hove’s coastline can be extremely dangerous.

• Even on an apparently clear sunny day, the sea is still very cold
• It only takes a few minutes for the body’s core temperature to drop by two degrees and for the onset of hypothermia to begin.
• It is never safe to go into the sea after drinking alcohol.
• Environmental conditions can be extremely challenging, even for the most experienced swimmers.
• Please don’t take inflatables in the sea
• Never jump from the pier or groynes

More information on Sea Safety at the Beach

Don’t forget about the sunshine

While we’re not yet in the height of summer, the sun can still pose a risk.

• Even if the weather is chilly, you can still get burnt by the sun if exposed for too long
• Children are more vulnerable to the sun’s harmful rays, be sure they’re well protected
• The effects of alcohol can be heightened if drinking in the sun

NHS sun safety tips and advice