Brighton Business Tips

(Brighton and Hove, East Sussex, England, UK)



Brighton Business TipsThe main businesses in the popular seaside resort of Brighton and Hove are tourism-related, generating retail and hospitality industries. Brighton is a lively seaside city, with tourists arriving throughout the year, but it is particularly busy during the seasonal summer months.

As a result of the important tourism trade, there are a large number of hotels, guesthouses, shops and restaurants in the city, particularly along the King's Road / Marine Parade (A259). Located close by and in the Freshfield area is the Freshfield Business Park, which is nearby the college and the American Express office.

Brighton Conference and Convention Centre

Address: Kings Road, Brighton, East Sussex, BN1 2FL, England
Tel: +44 (0)1273 290131
The Brighton Centre is one of the premier venues for conferences in the area. Home to many important exhibitions, concerts and conferences during the year, including various political events, the complex boasts a vast auditorium with a capacity exceeding 5,000 people, two smaller halls with a capacity of 400 people each and a number of meeting rooms. The train station is conveniently sited close by, along with the Churchill Square Shopping Centre.


Brighton Media Centre

Address: 9-12 Middle Street, The Lanes, Brighton, East Sussex, BN1 1AL, England
Tel: +44 (0)1273 384206
The centrally located Brighton Media Centre is an important information technology centre, being situated close to the famous Belgrave Hotel. With regular multi-media business courses and numerous exhibitions, the Media Centre also features a gallery and cinema.

Brighton Business Tips

Business Hours and General Etiquette

The locals in Brighton are fairly formal in both dress and manners, and normal business courtesies should usually be observed here. The degree of formality necessary depends on the nature of the business, with financial and legal professions tending to be much more formal than most of Brighton's large computer firms. Many men still wear suits and short sleeve shirts are acceptable during the summer months.

Business hours in the Brighton area are usually from Monday to Friday, between 09:00 and 17:30, although some offices and businesses may close slightly later. Many of Brighton's shops are open longer and often during the weekends, and some of the larger supermarkets choose to open 24 hours.

Banks in Brighton usually open from 09:00 to 17:00 and larger banking branches may also open on Saturday mornings. Some banks also have late-night opening hours and there are countless ATM cashpoint machines located throughout the city. These ATMs provide a useful way to exchange currency, suiting international travellers. Most shops, restaurants and hotels will happily accept credit cards, including both Visa and MasterCard.

Working lunches are a particularly popular way to do business in the city of Brighton and locals are quick to use first-name terms when appropriate. Reliable dining establishments in the city tend to be within walking distance of the beachfront and North Street, often being close to the Theatre Royal and the renowned Royal Pavilion.

Greeting Someone

A brief and friendly handshake is usually the customary greeting in Brighton and generally throughout England. It is acceptable to address new acquaintances on first name terms.

Smoking

Brighton's restaurants and cafés operate a strict 'no smoking' policy, with smokers being required to light-up outside. The same can be said for offices and businesses, which are also 'non-smoking'. Whilst the English have neither a positive nor a negative attitude to smoking, it is advisable and indeed good manners to only smoke when in the company of like-minded people.