An online petition has begun to gather attention, as supporters want to drop ‘Hove’ from the city’s official title: Brighton and Hove. In 1997, Brighton and Hove, which were separate at the time, united to form “Brighton and Hove”, giving the city unitary authority and thus was granted city status in 2000 as part of the millennium city status competition. This meant that the separate borough councils merged together to form a city council, giving it responsibility for services throughout the city. Although Brighton and Hove are now the same city – many view these sides of town as entirely separate, due to different established identities. Hove is largely residential, whereas Brighton is a busy, student led, and loud contrast. However, only 57 people have actually signed the petition to change the name with 1,250 signatures needed in order for the council to summon a meeting to discuss the topic.
History of Brighton’s name
The history of Brighton and Hove is rather lengthy, and has had several name changes in the past, evolving from Bristelmestune in1086, Brichtelmeston in 1198, Brighthelmeston in 1493, Brighthemston in 1610 and Brighthelmston in 1816, before finally being named Brighton in the early 19th century. Petitions to change the city’s name have popped up in the past. None of which have been successful, or gathered mass support. A petition to ‘turn the i360 into a Wetherspoons’ has gathered more attention online, with 639 people signing it. Other interesting petitions started by local citizens include ‘Give Brighton Independance, Get Brighton out of Britain’ which received 26 signatures, and ‘Save the Trees on Western Road’ which got 724 signatures.
Bigger issues
The city’s potential name change remains such a minor quibble in regards to real issues that the city is experiencing, such as a lack of affordable homes, an increase in homelessness, and the fact that weapons manufacturer L3harris, which is supplying weapons for the genocide in Palestine, is operating within the city.
At the end of the day… does it actually matter…
As citizens living in this community we have an obligation to take care of one another, and building valuable community spaces and supporting those around you, to me, feels more important than further division in the community through a city name change.