Brighton

If you’re looking for a picturesque seaside town similar to Brighton but with a quieter, more authentic feel, this ‘gem’ on the Norfolk coast might be your dream destination

When picturing a classic British seaside getaway, Brighton often springs to mind. The vibrant Lanes, buzzing nightlife and that famous, bustling pier draw countless visitors – along with the hefty price tags typical of such popular city breaks.

However, there’s another beach destination offering similar charm but without the hordes of tourists. Cromer, a Victorian treasure on the Norfolk coast, is quietly establishing itself as the ideal, more peaceful alternative.

Like many British seaside resorts, the town enjoyed its heyday just before World War I, though its popularity waned as foreign holidays became more accessible. Cromer possesses a “vibrant Brighton feel” minus the masses, according to travel writer Liz Hollis, who highlights that it is “increasingly home to artists, galleries and independent shops” as it draws a fresh, younger crowd.

Whilst the coastal town prepares for summer with its rainbow-hued buildings overlooking sandy stretches, it remains equally attractive throughout winter, visitors report.

One holidaymaker noted that Cromer beach is “very pretty even in winter”, whilst another remembered their “enjoyable walk on a winter day”.

They said: “You can either walk along the beach with the cliffs above towards Sheringham or in the other direction. In the summer months, it can get too crowded for that relaxing stroll behind the cliffs.”

One visitor praised Cromer as “glorious” in January, fondly recalling “winter walks along the beach, with the waves crashing on the shore”.

The town’s most celebrated attraction is its pier, which boasts the rare distinction of housing one of just five end-of-pier theatres across the UK and the only one staging a complete season of variety performances, reports the Express.

Guests can also try their hand at crabbing from the pier, a beloved seaside tradition, or explore the RNLI lifeboat station at its furthest point, paying tribute to the town’s rich maritime legacy and its most decorated lifeboatman, Henry Blogg. Those keen to delve deeper into this history should visit the Henry Blogg Museum.

Away from the pier, Cromer has plenty more to offer. The town is a haven for food enthusiasts, renowned for its sweet and succulent Cromer crab, hauled from local waters around a chalk reef lying just offshore.

Cromer’s characterful streets also feature an impressive selection of independent boutiques, coffee shops, and art galleries, perfect for some relaxed browsing.

Travel writers at ‘Our World for You’ described Cromer in their Norfolk guide as a “gem of the Norfolk coast” and “so much more than just Cromer crabs.”

For a blend of heritage and breathtaking scenery, scale the 160-foot tower of the 14th-century church of St Peter and St Paul, Norfolk’s tallest, which provides sweeping views across the town and shoreline. A brisk stroll along the Norfolk Coast Path, which meanders through Cromer, is an ideal way to soak up the area’s natural splendour in October or November, with the crisp air and dramatic skies.

The town also gets into the festive spirit with a traditional Christmas Fayre at the Parish Hall, offering local gifts and yuletide goodies.

For a truly spectacular festive experience, the renowned Cromer Pier Christmas Show runs from mid-November to late December, bringing West End-calibre variety entertainment to the coast and making it a perfect destination for a pre-Christmas or even post-Christmas getaway.

Visitors can enjoy the show, which lasts roughly two and a half hours. This year, the event takes place from November 15 to December 28.

It is easy to see why this beautiful beach town is being dubbed the “perfect alternative” to Brighton. It has the same vibrant vibe but is much more peaceful

When you conjure up images of a classic British seaside holiday, Brighton might be one of the first places that comes to mind. With its vibrant lanes, buzzing nightlife, and iconic bustling pier. However, it’s no wonder it draws in hordes of tourists – along with the steep prices that come with such a popular city getaway.

But there’s another beach that offers similar charm without the masses. Cromer, a Victorian jewel on the Norfolk coast, is quietly earning a reputation as the ideal, more peaceful alternative.

Like many British coastal towns, this resort saw its heyday just before World War I, but its allure waned as exotic foreign holidays became more popular.

Travel writer Liz Hollis describes Cromer as having a “vibrant Brighton feel” minus the crowds, noting that it’s “increasingly home to artists, galleries and independent shops” as it begins to draw a younger crowd.

While the seaside town is summer-ready with its multicoloured buildings overlooking sandy beaches, it’s just as enticing in the winter months, according to visitors.

One visitor noted that Cromer beach is “very pretty even in winter”, while another reminisced about their “enjoyable walk on a winter day”, reports the Express.

They said: “You can either walk along the beach with the cliffs above towards Sheringham or in the other direction. In the summer months, it can get too crowded for that relaxing stroll behind the cliffs.”

A second visitor described Cromer as “glorious” in January, reminiscing on “winter walks along the beach, with the waves crashing on the shore”.

The most celebrated draw in Cromer is without doubt its pier, which boasts the remarkable distinction of housing one of just five end-of-pier theatres across the UK and the sole venue to stage a complete season of variety performances.

Holidaymakers can also enjoy crabbing from the pier, a cherished seaside tradition, or explore the RNLI lifeboat station at its furthest point, paying tribute to the town’s distinguished maritime legacy and its most honoured lifeboatman, Henry Blogg. For those seeking to delve into this rich heritage, the Henry Blogg Museum proves essential viewing.

Away from the pier, Cromer provides an abundance of entertainment to bring in tourists. The resort represents a culinary haven, renowned for its succulent and delicate Cromer crab, harvested from nearby waters surrounding a chalk reef positioned just offshore.

Cromer’s period streets also house an impressive selection of independent retailers, coffee shops, and art spaces, offering an excellent chance for some relaxed shopping.

As travel bloggers at ‘Our World for You’ wrote in their guide to Norfolk, Cromer is a “gem of the Norfolk coast” and “so much more than just Cromer crabs.”

For a taste of heritage and breathtaking panoramas, ascend the 160-foot tower of the 14th-century church of St Peter and St Paul, Norfolk’s loftiest, which provides sweeping views across the resort and shoreline.

A brisk stroll along the Norfolk Coast Path, which meanders through Cromer, is an ideal way to soak up the area’s natural splendour in October or November, with the crisp air and dramatic skies.

The town also gets into the festive spirit with a traditional Christmas Fayre at the Parish Hall, offering local gifts and yuletide goodies.

For a truly spectacular festive experience, the renowned Cromer Pier Christmas Show runs from mid-November to late December, bringing West End-calibre variety entertainment to the coast and making it a perfect destination for a pre-Christmas or even post-Christmas getaway.

Visitors can revel in the show, which lasts roughly two and a half hours. This year, the event takes place from 15 November to 28 December.

Having scored six goals from seven shots on target, Welbeck is on track to surpass the career-best 10 top-flight goals he scored last season.

Several different strikers have played second fiddle to Harry Kane in recent years, but none are currently enjoying the kind of purple patch Welbeck is.

“If you look at the forward options in Tuchel’s last squad there aren’t many obvious stand-ins for Harry Kane,” Alan Shearer told BBC Sport.

“Anthony Gordon, Jarrod Bowen, Bukayo Saka aren’t going to fill that role and Ollie Watkins hasn’t been firing for Aston Villa, so any English striker scoring goals in the Premier League is going to be talked about.

“It’s seven years since Welbeck’s last cap and he’s 35 this month but Tuchel isn’t worried about the future. His only focus is the six weeks of the World Cup so there’s no reason why Welbeck couldn’t be involved if he keeps scoring and stays injury free.”

Injuries have disrupted much of Welbeck’s career and arguably prevented him from adding to his 42 England caps, but he now founds himself in the beneficial position of being able to contribute goals on the pitch and leadership off it.

“I’m loving it here at Brighton, I’ve been very important, integral, on and off the pitch,” added Welbeck.

“I’m enjoying the senior role as well, I know how important it was for me as a youngster coming through having senior members you can speak to, come to for advice, it helped me massively.

“It’s come full circle now, I’m there to pass on advice to youngsters and help those around me. It’s been pretty seamless slipping into this role.”

Welbeck recently told BBC Radio 5 Live that “the door is always open” with England.

He added: “I know that if I’m called upon then I’d love to do the job, but honestly it doesn’t come into my thinking at the moment. I’m just focused on Brighton, winning games and picking up points.”

While Welbeck has played down his chances, Onuoha, who has played against Welbeck in the past, believes he knows Tuchel will be interested in him.

“You almost talk about him like he has never played for England before. He has done that job before,” Onuoha said.

“With the profile he has, he could definitely suit Tuchel’s style as such. For someone to be in that form, he knows he is going to be part of the conversation.”

Bryan Mbeumo’s match-winning goal in stoppage time elevated Manchester United to fourth on the Premier League ladder.

Manchester United’s improvement under coach Ruben Amorim continued as Matheus Cunha, Casemiro and two goals from Bryan Mbeumo secured a 4-2 victory over Brighton & Hove Albion on Saturday, their third successive Premier League win.

Looking to build on last weekend’s first victory at Liverpool since 2016, Cunha arrowed home a sublime 24th-minute strike into the bottom corner, the Brazilian’s first goal for United.

There was fortune about the second from Casemiro 10 minutes later, his shot taking a huge deflection before finding the net, but Mbeumo’s well-taken third just after the hour mark put the hosts in complete command.

Danny Welbeck’s sublime free kick against his former club pulled one back for Brighton, before Charalampos Kostoulas’s header in stoppage time ensured a nervy finish at Old Trafford.

With Brighton committing everyone forward in search of the equaliser, Mbeumo fired a fine strike into the roof of the net to lift United to fourth in the standings. Brighton stayed 12th.

“I enjoy it a lot here,” Mbeumo told Sky Sports. “It hasn’t been easy at the start. It’s a new environment, a new expectation, but I think with the link-up with the team, everything is going the right way.

“The work we put in, the togetherness we give on the pitch, is key. I like the challenges, I came here to a big club, and we want to fight for the best places.”

Brighton big test for United

The visitors provided a big test for an improving United, given that since the start of the 2021-22 season no team has won more league games against United than Brighton.

United’s victory against Liverpool last weekend was the first time Amorim had achieved back-to-back league wins since taking charge 11 months ago, but the manager insisted the revival would be undone if they slipped to another loss to Brighton.

Welbeck forced a fine save from United goalkeeper Senne Lammens early on as Brighton started brightly, but Cunha’s pinpoint finish settled home nerves. Since the start of last season, Cunha has scored more goals from outside the box than any other Premier League player in all competitions.

Casemiro’s deflected strike deservedly put a dominant United further ahead, with more chances coming and going to extend the hosts’ lead before the break.

Mbeumo followed up his goal at Liverpool with the third to put United into a seemingly unassailable position.

Proof that they are far from the finished article yet came, however, as mistakes crept in and Welbeck started the Brighton comeback.

United appeared on the ropes when Kostoulas pounced to narrow the deficit to 3-2, but Mbeumo’s 96th-minute strike secured the three points as the home side won three straight league victories for the first time since August 2024.

“We put ourselves in a really difficult position,” Welbeck said. “We have a great group. We got two goals and were close to maybe getting a third. It didn’t happen, but it is a good sign we showed character.”

THE south of England has some incredibly popular beaches, and one is getting even bigger in time for next summer.

From next month, work is starting on the beach in Brighton and Hove to protect it from erosion and that’s great news for holidaymakers – because let’s face it… size matters.

Brighton and Hove is a one of the busiest spots in the UK with 11 million people visiting every year.

Worries about flooding and erosion across the busy Brighton and Hove seafront have led to new plans involving adding new groynes and extending the shingle beach.

Starting in late November or early December, a new groyne field will be built on the beach between the King Alfred Leisure Centre and Second Avenue in Hove.

The new timber groynes will be supported by filling the bays between each one with thousands of tonnes of shingle – which has been dredged from a site in the English Channel.

YULE DO

Travel expert reveals cheap UK holiday parks with Xmas breaks from £9pp a night

CHRIMBO WIN

Enter these travel comps before Xmas to win £2k holidays, ski trips & spa stays

Effectively, this will slow the movement of shingle along the coastline, helping to protect the area from flooding and erosion.

It will also reduce the amount of shingle which washes up onto the promenade during storms and high tides.

What’s probably more interesting for tourists is that the plans will see the beach extended by approximately 25 metres out to sea.

Not only does this mean the beach will be better protected, but it will create more room for tourists during busy seasons.

There’s a public engagement event taking place today (23 October) so locals can learn more about this phase of the scheme.

The work is scheduled to finish next year so by summer.

Following that, the next phase of the plan is the rebuilding of sea defences on Southwick beach which is set to be complete in 2027.

Councillor Trevor Muten, cabinet member for transport and public realm, said: “This scheme is vital for the city, to safeguard homes and businesses from coastal flooding and protect our local economy for decades to come. By taking action now, we will help make our city more climate resilient and able to adapt to increasing storms, extreme rainfall and rising sea levels.

“We are committed to value for money to deliver the best for our city. £4.5 million is a substantial sum but our local visitor economy alone is worth £5 billion.”

That’s not the only work that has been taking place in Hove – the Kingsway to the Sea project, also known as Hove Beach Park has been underway since around 2023.

The project has seen the construction of a skate and pump track, padel tennis courts, and a new tennis pavilion which opened last year.

The project has focused on creating landscaped gardens and making new pathways at a cost of £13.7million.

There will be an official opening in spring 2025 when the majority of the project will be complete.

Brighton and Hove isn;t just about the beach though.

It’s also famous for shopping in The Lanes, Brighton Palace Pier, beachfront, and the Royal Pavilion.

There’s lots of nightlife, and plenty of pubs – in fact, Brighton & Hove has the most pubs in the UK per person.

Sun Travel‘s favourites include The Station Inn, The Tempest Inn and Hove Place , which has a beautiful Italian-inspired garden.

Brighton is also home to Volk’s Electric Railway, which is the world’s oldest operating electric railway – and it’s right on the front of Brighton Beach.

It’s been operating since 1883 which makes it over 140 years old and is still going today.

CASH BOOST

Major bank offers free £100 Amazon vouchers ahead of Christmas

DRIFTING APART

How Anastasia Kingsnorth’s new boyfriend sparked feud with Saffron Barker

One Sun Writer recommends a visit to this beach club in Hove whatever the weather…

HOVE is the vibey neighbour of the popular Brighton – and my top choice for a weekend break.

It’s more relaxed, still with a pretty pebble coastline and blue waters, but much quieter. On Friday afternoon, just under two hours from my home in Hertfordshire, I hit Brighton.

The seaside town that everyone knows and loves for its sea lanes, pop-up market stalls, quirky creatives and music scene.

It was immediately quieter with a notable absence of Brighton’s squawking seagulls. Hove still retains its beach charm, and in fact, it’s recently been named one of the best seaside towns to live in.

Almost as soon as I hit Hove, I discovered a gem of a beach club called Rockwater.

Rustic-looking on the outside, Rockwater completely blends in with its surroundings with wooden slatted exterior, huge glass windows, and the inside is spectacular.

It has plush chairs, a beautiful bar and a holiday-like atmosphere – imagine the sun shining through open windows, the clinking of glasses and happy tourist chatter.

You might think beach bars are just for summer, but this one has lots of activities all year round from relaxing yoga to book socials, sip and paint – and of course, plenty of Christmas fun.

In Brighton you’ll find one of the UK’s most popular seaside towns has California-like beach bar named one of the best in the country.

Plus, one of the UK’s most popular seaside towns is set to get new train station revamp in huge ‘spruce up’.

THIS is the shocking moment sneaky jewel thieves distract a driver at a petrol station and steal £2 million from his car boot.

An organised crime group targeted the jewellery salesman as he was travelling from Sussex to Kent last year.

6

6

6

Three of the group have now been jailed after they followed the man to a petrol station in Wrotham, Kent, before puncturing one of his tyres in January 2024.

The victim had been working in Brighton selling jewellery to several businesses and was carrying precious items worth around £2.25 million.

The CCTV footage shows the moment the thieves start following the salesman.

He was tracked by Edgar Ardila-Ruiz, Monica Diaz and Edward Florez-Ortiz and closely tailed his vehicle back to Kent.

When the man stopped at a petrol station in Wrotham, Florez-Ortiz punctured one of his tyres.

The man drove away but was forced to turn back and headed to an air pressure machine after noticing his tyre was flat.

While at the machine, the footage shows Monica Diaz distract the salesman by attempting to engage him in conversation.

Meanwhile, Ardila-Ruiz can be seen at the rear of the car snatching a bag of jewellery from the boot.

The CCTV footage recovered from the garage showed the suspects fleeing in a silver Toyota Corolla.

All three thieves were part of a gang responsible for other offences across the country including areas in London and parts of Essex and Hertfordshire.

Ruiz and Diaz were later arrested on February 11 after attempting to steal from another travelling salesman near Bolton, Lancashire.

The victim had alerted police after he noticed a black BMW was following him.

Local officers ran checks showing Ruiz was wanted for the theft in Wrotham while Diaz was also recognised from the petrol station CCTV.

They both pleaded guilty at Maidstone Crown Court after they were charged with conspiracy to steal, and theft from a motor vehicle.

6

6

Ruiz and Diaz, both of no fixed address, were sentenced to three years and six months in prison.

Florez-Ortiz, from Islington, London, was identified as a third suspect and separately convicted at Chelmsford Magistrates Court after pleading guilty to theft and criminal damage.

He was jailed for six years and will undergo future extradition proceedings after he was sentenced to three years for another jewellery theft in Belgium in 2021.

All three will also now be the subject of a financial investigation under the Proceeds of Crime Act to claw back any criminal gains they may have made.

Detective Constable Leo Graham said: “Our investigation uncovered a wealth of evidence showing how all three offenders initially followed the victim on foot, before tailing his car.

“They waited patiently for the perfect opportunity to prey upon him and a later examination of his car led to the recovery of a metal item which had been inserted into the tyre by Florez-Ortiz.

“Ardila-Ruiz and Diaz were thankfully caught just weeks later, after following another salesman hundreds of miles away from Kent.

“These sentences are welcome, as it is clear they were part of a bigger network of organised criminality targeting victims throughout the country.”

6

After Tottenham dug in to earn a 1-0 win against Villarreal on their return to the Champions League in midweek, Lucas Bergvall praised their “clean-sheet mentality’ with that shutout their fourth in their first five games this season.

When the clean sheet opportunity was swiftly wiped out by Brighton on Saturday, the Spurs players showed a different mentality.

This time they never gave up and appeared to have the belief that they could get something from the game, despite their statistically poor ability to recover from two-goal deficits.

“The mentality that we showed, I was so impressed with,” added Frank.

“[We showed] the mentality to stay in the game, to keep going, to keep pushing and come back and get a well deserved 2-2.”

Tottenham midfielder Joao Palhinha told Sky Sports: “At least what we can take is the mentality that we had fighting for the result.”

He added: “This mentality needs to be there always regardless of the result.”

Against Brighton, Tottenham had 45 touches of the ball inside the opposition box, compared to just 17 for Brighton.

They also had 11 shots on goal but just three of those were on target.

While Tottenham appear to have improved defensively and mentality wise from last season, making the opposition goalkeeper work appears to be an area they have, for now, regressed in.

“There are a lot of things for this team to keep improving,” Palhinha added.

“But these improvements have come week by week.”

JACK GREALISH marked his full Everton debut with two assists as the Toffees won the first match at their new stadium.

Goals from Iliman Ndiaya and James Garner led David Moyes men to a 2-0 win over Brighton.

4

4

4

4

Jordan Pickford also starred as he saved a penalty from Danny Welbeck.

THIS IS A DEVELOPING STORY..

The Sun is your go to destination for the best football, boxing and MMA news, real-life stories, jaw-dropping pictures and must-see video.Like us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/TheSunFootball and follow us from our main Twitter account at @TheSunFootball.

A 38-YEAR-OLD man has been charged with raping a 17-year-old boy after “approaching him on a bench” in a popular UK seaside town.

The teen, who was sitting on a bench in Dyke Road, Brighton, was approached by a man who asked for help finding a shop that was open.

2

He assisted the man before being taken to an address in Regent Hill where the rape was reported to have taken place.

Cops received a report of the rape in the early hours of Sunday and immediately launched an investigation.

A 38-year-old Brazilian man, of no fixed address, was arrested near the property shortly later.

Officers have since charged Rafael Nascimento with rape, he appeared at Brighton Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday.

Nascimento was remanded into custody and is due to appear in court again on September 9.

Senior investigating officer, Detective Chief Inspector Steve Cobbett, said, “A dedicated team has been working diligently, swiftly, and thoroughly to ensure all lines of enquiry are fully progressed.

“The victim will continue to be supported throughout this process, and following their bravery in making a report, officers quickly identified a person of interest, and they have since been charged and remanded.

“Officers have continued to carry out enquiries in the Regent Hill area, and as a result, a heightened police presence has been visible.

“This forms part of our ongoing work to support the investigation and to provide reassurance to the community.

“We remain committed to protecting the public from those who seek to harm others. We are here to listen, to support, and to take action.

“If have information to report in connection with ongoing enquiries, we ask you contact police”

“Officers are here to ensure that every piece of evidence is collected, and every piece of information is heard.”

2

IKEA fans won’t have to wait much longer — the Swedish giant’s long-awaited new store will open its doors in just 48 hours.

The brand-new branch, located in Brighton’s Churchill Square Shopping Centre, takes over the former Debenhams site which has been empty since 2021.

7

7

7

7

Shoppers will be able to step inside from 10am on Thursday, August 14 , to explore thousands of affordable homeware items, and tuck into the famous meatballs.

Spread across two floors and 6,695 square metres, the store will offer 2,600 products for immediate takeaway and access to the full 12,000-strong range via delivery or collection.

It’s the first full IKEA store in the city, meaning Brighton locals will no longer need to trek to Croydon or Southampton for the full shopping experience.

Bosses say the new shop has been created with the “city at its heart”, with displays inspired by local homes and Brighton’s seaside style.

Six roomsets have been co-created with residents, including ceramicists Adam Johnson and Dan Mackey, to show off colourful, space-saving ideas and a nod to the city’s famous beach huts.

Adam said: “We’ve always loved IKEA because it’s like an interiors disco – and what’s life without a little sparkle?”

The first floor houses a 100-seat Swedish Deli serving meatballs, plantballs and sweet treats, all with sweeping sea views.

The Swedish Food Market will sell ingredients and snacks to enjoy at home.

On the ground floor, bargain hunters can snap up pre-loved and discontinued items in the Re-shop & Re-use area.

There’s also a home planning hub where shoppers can get one-to-one help designing kitchens or bedroom storage.

Quick bites and drinks will be available at the Swedish Bite kiosk.

Market Manager Karina Gilpin said: “Our city centre location in Churchill Square means customers can conveniently drop in while out and about, to seek inspiration for their homes, browse our range, access our expert planning advice, or enjoy our delicious meatballs or plantballs.”

To celebrate the launch, the first 100 IKEA Family Members through the doors will get a blue FRAKTA bag with a mystery gift card worth between £1 and £1,000.

Brighton will be IKEA’s third city-centre store in the UK, following Oxford Street and Hammersmith in London.

The opening is part of the retailer’s push for smaller, high street-friendly locations, moving away from giant out-of-town warehouses.

The Churchill Square store will open 10am to 8pm Monday to Saturday, and 11am to 5pm on Sundays.

Where is my closest Ikea?

A quick way of figuring out if you have an Ikea store near you is by using the retailer’s locator tool on its website.

You just have to enter the town or city where you live, or your postcode and it will pull up the nearest site.

The same page has a helpful map showing where all of the 21 current stores are located.

Below we reveal the full list of Ikea stores in the UK:

• Croydon
• Hammersmith
• Greenwich
• Lakeside
• Wembley
• Birmingham (Wednesbury)
• Nottingham
• Bristol
• Cardiff
• Exeter
• Belfast
• Manchester
• Warrington
• Edinburgh
• Gateshead
• Glasgow
• Leeds
• Sheffield
• Milton Keynes
• Reading
• Southampton

7

7

7

Brighton defender Pervis Estupinan is close to completing a move to Italian giants AC Milan.

The Serie A side have been pushing to sign the Ecuador full-back for most of the summer and have already had one bid turned down.

However, an agreement is close to being concluded that would allow Estupinan to move to the former European champions.

Brighton were hoping to get around £17m for the 27-year-old, whose current contract expires in 2027.

Estupinan came to England in 2016 when he joined Watford but never played a senior game for the club.

Instead, he made his name in La Liga with Villarreal and was part of the squad that beat Manchester United in the 2021 Europa League final.

He has made more than 100 appearances across three seasons at Brighton but he suffered a significant ankle injury in 2024 that caused him to miss Copa America.

Brighton have rejected two bids by Premier League clubs for forward Joao Pedro.

The clubs have not been revealed, but Chelsea and Newcastle are currently targeting the Brazil striker.

Liverpool are also known to admire the 23-year-old, though are not pursuing a move at the moment.

The bids are reportedly about £50m, as Brighton hold out for at least £60m for Pedro, who was signed from Watford for a then club record £30m in 2023.

Pedro, who has three caps, is known to be keen to move away from the south coast, while Chelsea and Newcastle are able to offer him Champions League football.

Chelsea are targeting two forwards this summer with Dortmund winger Jamie Gittens in ongoing talks with the club.

The Blues see Pedro as a replacement for versatile forward Christopher Nkunku, who is expected to leave Stamford Bridge despite his current involvement in the Club World Cup.

Pedro scored 10 goals and six assists in 27 Premier League games for Brighton last season, but was excluded from the squad by manager Fabian Hurzeler for disciplinary reasons on the last day of the season.

Brighton have extended the contract of James Milner by another season in a deal which will take the midfielder past his 40th birthday.

Milner has been with the Seagulls since joining them after his contract with Liverpool ran out in summer 2023.

He will turn 40 on 4 January, 2026 and will have to play into the following season if he wants to stand a chance of becoming the Premier League’s oldest outfield player.

That record is held by former England forward Teddy Sheringham, who played in the top flight for West Ham when he was 40 years and 272 days old.

Milner made only four top flight appearances for Brighton last season as they finished eighth in the Premier League.

He began his career at Leeds United and went on to play for Newcastle United, Aston Villa, Manchester City and Liverpool.

He also won 61 caps for England, representing his country at the 2010 and 2014 World Cups.

Greek agent Giorgos Panou is credited with launching the career of superstar Milwaukee Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo and is now doing the same in football with Brighton’s soon-to-be new striker Kostoulas.

Just as he spotted Antetokounmpo, then a second division Greek basketball player in 2013, he spotted Kostoulas, nicknamed ‘Babis’, aged 15.

He is now on the verge of a record-breaking move and, when asked how the two talents compare, Panou replied: “I felt the same way when I first saw Babis playing three years ago in an under-19s game, aged 15, to how I felt when I first saw Giannis.

“I got the feeling immediately that he is cold-blooded, immense talent, with great body language and ready to take on older, bigger guys without feeling pressure. I saw a potential to grow.”

Chelsea have been credited with interest in Kostoulas in the past, while Brighton are believed to have beaten some of the biggest clubs in Germany to his signature. So why move to the south coast? The answer is, perhaps, unsurprising.

“They won the family and myself with how they talk, negotiate, give all the tools to thrive and have a good track record of developing similar young talents,” Panou added. “So we feel very comfortable, and I’m really sure that Babis will adapt really fast in this environment. It was a no-brainer for me.”

The former Greece basketball assistant coach, now brokering deals across two sports, believes this is a golden era of Greek football – with Stefanos Tzimas also joining Brighton from Nurnberg this summer, and PAOK star Giannis Konstantelias expected to soon move to a top-five European league.

THE widow of tragic The Wanted star Tom Parker has a “kiss me quick” moment at the seaside with her dad-to-be boyfriend.

Kelsey Parker, 34, who is eight months pregnant, also checked out rings with 27-year-old tree surgeon Will Lindsay.

4

4

4

The loved-up couple went on a windswept walk in Brighton with Kelsey’s two young children by Tom.

The singer died in 2022 aged just 33 from brain cancer.

Before going public with her new relationship in September last year, Kelsey said she knew her late husband would “send the right man for her.”

Tom captured the hearts of fans as one-fifth of chart-topping boyband The Wanted, known for hits like Glad You Came and All Time Low.

Even while undergoing treatment, he continued to perform, famously taking to the stage with the band in emotional final performances during their reunion tour.

Since his death, Kelsey has worked tirelessly to honour his legacy.

She has organised an annual charity football match in his name to raise funds and awareness for brain cancer research – a cause that now means everything to her.

The Sun revealed last year that Kelsey had found love with tree surgeon Will Lindsay, two years after Tom’s death.

4

Ange Postecoglou says his team have had an “outstanding” season by winning the Europa League and qualifying for the Champions League, depite their 4-1 defeat by Brighton leaving Tottenham finishing the Premier League campaign in 17th place.

MATCH REPORT: Tottenham Hotspur 1-4 Brighton & Hove Albion

Available to UK users only.

A SERIAL thief has been barred from every Greggs in England and Wales after repeatedly targeting the same bakery in a shameless crime spree.

Patrick Verry, 33, is now forbidden from entering any of the high street baker’s hundreds of branches following a court order brought by the Met Police.

9

9

9

He was caught in the act last week by officers inside a Greggs shop in Wood Green, North London, after striking the location seven times.

Verry was arrested on the spot and brought before Highbury Magistrates’ Court the following day, where he admitted to six counts of theft from the same Greggs store.

Police described him as one of the capital’s “most prolific shoplifters” — and now he’s banned from every Greggs outlet across the country in a move to protect staff and customers.

The order comes as part of a new Met Police blitz on retail crime amid soaring shoplifting rates nationwide.

Chief Inspector Rav Pathania, the Met’s retail crime lead, said: “The Met is focused on tackling the most prolific shoplifters like Verry.

“They cause fear to retail workers and their offending has a negative impact on communities.”

He continued: “We continue to work with local business owners to investigate reports of shoplifting, understand concerns and use different tactics to crackdown, including targeted operations and regular patrols.”

The ban on Verry comes as The Sun lifts the lid on the true scale of the shoplifting crisis crippling British high streets.

Our undercover investigation found Greggs shops across the country being stripped of stock in broad daylight, with some stores experiencing a theft every 20 minutes.

At one busy location in South London, a thief was seen stuffing doughnuts and drinks into his pockets before barging past staff and walking out unfazed.

In another shocking clip filmed in Tooting, a brave female Greggs manager tried to stop a thief who was carrying several bottles of Coca-Cola.

She shouted: “You’re not having all of that,” as the crook tried to leave.

He coolly replied: “Yeah I’m walking out with them, watch me.”

Customers looked on in silence, too scared to step in. A witness said: “There were two grown men just stood by the tills.

“Everyone was just silent.

“No one said a word. People are just afraid now.”

9

9

9

9

The Met later confirmed it was not alerted to the Tooting incident, which happened in August, highlighting just how many shoplifting cases go unreported.

Our reporters saw similar scenes play out in branches from Newcastle to Brighton, with thieves helping themselves to hot food, drinks and sandwiches without even trying to hide it.

In Stockwell, South London, one man was caught on camera filling his coat with products before grabbing two boxes of jam doughnuts worth £3 each and fleeing during the lunchtime rush.

In Worthing, West Sussex, two men repeatedly walked in and out of Greggs helping themselves to hot food from the display cabinets.

On Brighton’s Queen’s Road, one crook walked off with two trays of wedges in front of a stunned staff member. “Average day,” the employee said when asked about it.

Minutes later, another thief ran out with two trays of wedges and a sandwich, while yet another masked man sprinted off carrying food as helpless staff shouted after him.

In Southampton, a man entered just after midday, grabbed four hot food items and said: “Sorry guys, I’m homeless, I need to eat,” before walking straight out the door.

In many cases, Greggs staff are told not to intervene directly with thieves for safety reasons.

One insider told us: “They’ve been told not to chase anyone, not to engage. It’s heartbreaking for the team.”

Astonishingly, just 350 people have been prosecuted for stealing from Greggs in the last six months.

Of those, only 111 received immediate or suspended jail time — and most had long criminal records.

Greggs has started introducing extra security measures in stores hit hardest by crime.

That includes removing self-serve fridges, placing chilled food behind the till, and trialling bouncers in some branches.

One staff member said: “It’s like we’re on the front line. You’re trying to sell sausage rolls but you’re looking over your shoulder constantly.”

Greggs boss Roisin Currie confirmed the company is now using facial recognition technology to catch thieves and pass images to police.

“We’ve now got a system where we can take photos of people committing theft on the shop floor and that then instantly goes to the police,” she told The Sun.

The bakery chain is also investing in body cameras for workers and running trials with a 24-hour shoplifting helpline.

A Greggs spokeswoman said: “Shoplifting is an industry-wide issue and we take it extremely seriously.

The safety of our colleagues and customers remains our absolute priority.”

Politicians have backed The Sun’s investigation.

Shadow Justice Secretary Robert Jenrick said: “This is an important and timely investigation from The Sun, exposing just how bad the shoplifting epidemic has become.

“There has to be consequences for this appalling criminality.”

Policing Minister Dame Diana Johnson added: “Retail workers should never feel unsafe at work. That is why we’re taking robust action to tackle shop theft and protect workers.”

She confirmed new laws are coming under the government’s Crime and Policing Bill, which will create a specific offence for assaulting shop staff and scrap the £200 threshold that previously gave low-level shoplifters “effective immunity.”

Meanwhile, the Met has released dramatic new footage showing suspects sprinting from stores clutching bottles, sandwiches and snacks as part of a wider crackdown on repeat retail offenders.

And police chiefs say they’re not stopping with Verry, more bans could be coming for other prolific shoplifters as efforts ramp up to restore order on Britain’s battered high streets.

9

9

Glenn Murray speaks to three members of the four generations of the Hinshelwood family – the most recent of whom, Jack, is making waves at Brighton.

Jack scored an 85th-minute winner against Liverpool on Monday, with his 17-year-old cousin Harry Howell making his debut for the Seagulls.

Jack’s father Adam is managing York City in the National League play-off semi-final against Oldham on Tuesday.

This video was originally posted in September 2024.

Available to UK users only.

Watch Football Focus, Saturdays, 12:00 BST on BBC One, BBC iPlayer, the BBC Sport website and app

Get all the latest Brighton & Hove Albion news and views

More from the Premier League , external(external site)

Brighton, Brentford and Bournemouth all have an outside chance of qualifying for Europe – but need Chelsea to win the Conference League and finish seventh in the Premier League.

The final matches in the Premier League take place on Sunday and there is still a scenario in which 10 of the teams, external would be playing in European competition in 2025-26.

Six English clubs will be in the Champions League – Liverpool and Arsenal have already secured their spots and will be joined by three of Newcastle, Chelsea, Aston Villa, Manchester City and Nottingham Forest.

Manchester United play Tottenham in the final of the Europa League in Bilbao, Spain on Wednesday and the winner of that match will also be in next season’s Champions League.

Crystal Palace’s 1-0 win over Manchester City in the FA Cup final has taken the Eagles into the 2025-26 Europa League, where they will be joined by whichever team finishes sixth in the Premier League.

The complication comes with Newcastle, whose Carabao Cup victory has ensured themselves a Conference League place at least. But if they finish sixth they would go into the Europa League instead, while a top-five place for Eddie Howe’s team would move them into the Champions League instead.

Chelsea play Real Betis in the Conference League final on Wednesday, 28 May, with the winner qualifying for the Europa League. But Enzo Maresca’s Blues also could still claim Champions League football with a top-five Premier League finish.

If Chelsea win the Conference League and come seventh, that would open up their Conference League place to the Premier League team which finishes eighth – with Brighton, who beat Liverpool 3-2 on Monday, in that spot, although Brentford and Bournemouth could still overtake them.

It is a similar situation if Chelsea win the Conference League and come sixth, with Newcastle seventh, meaning eighth in the Premier League would again be enough for European competition.

If Chelsea lose the Conference League final or finish in a Champions League place, the picture becomes much clearer.

The top five plus the Europa League winners would be in the Champions League, Crystal Palace and the sixth-placed team would be in the Europa League and the side that finishes seventh in the Premier League would be in the Conference League.