BRIGHTON PIZZA GIRL.

News. Gossips and Grumbles with Pizza Girl.


Some letters to this Pizza Girl via her mother organ the Whistler suggest she is (Me) obsessed with local Shops. Shops are at he heart of our community, they contribute significantly to the ambience and vitality of our area and importantly they give us somewhere to buy stuff. However in the cause of greater dimensionally, this month I went to that big building on the corner of Powis (“Aren’t I pretty?”) Square and Victoria (“I was in a feature film recently don't you know?”) Road. This majestic, magnificent, even awe inspiring building is St Michael's Church. Whistlers it is incredible, a spiritual and design nirvana. Top tip - go see. Adrian, (My Hubby) a big fan of arts and crafts knows of no other local Christian edifice built after 1834 to equal St Michael's. The Saturday morning cooked breakfast is another good reason for visiting.


The Brighton Artists Gallery BAG recently scooped the award for the best Gallery at the Seven Dials. The current photography show really is top dollar,well worth the visit. Next month incredibly shows the Da Da boy surrealist Man Ray. What a treat, a real culture coup for the area.

Talking of Surrealists, Dali is also coming to the Dials. Dali’s is the new name for the old Art Bar being built bang next door to the Tin Drum. A contributor has pointed out that Dali’s is of course an anagram of Dials, now that is clever. Apparently Slaid are to perform at the opening bash. I do hope joint owner “My other car is a yellow Ferrari” Mr Parker Bathrooms sends this girl an invite.

There is one thing I can’t work out, how is it building work is going on at Dali’s? According to the planning department the planning application for the “cafe” has been withdrawn and building control apparently have no record of any works taking place. Mr P what’ s happening?

My thanks to all of you who have taken time out to write to me c/o the Whistler. I do try to check the accuracy of my tipster’s information, however it seems that the item about the Seven Dials shopkeepers staging a Christmas lights spectacular, was in fact a spoof. My apologies to any shopkeepers disappointed by this.
All is perhaps not lost ....as we remember Tinkers Hardware stock the largest selection of light bulbs this side of Fishersgate..... Bliss.

Mind the Gap: Three new shops are being constructed in a gap next to Flush Florist. the owner is looking for your ideas as to what retail use they should be put to. Initial ideas are a bathroom shop an estate agents and a fish and chip shop called Dialicious

Did you know? Top electronics store System Electronics, which has served the community for 24 years with its vast range of spares, is closed all day on a Wednesday.

Bizarre but true: The Compton Arms look like it is getting yet another make-over. How come it always ends up looking exactly the same ?

Factoid: Compton Avenue is to be renamed White Van Boulevard.

Race on: Who will open first, Dali’s Cafe or the Sushi Bar ? The sushi bar has got a two year head start.

Poser: Is the Wonder Bar?

Singing Celery? Fancy a bit of Bizet with your banana's? A helping of Handel with your hummus? Then put the classical music and opera playing Jasmine's grocery on your must visit list.

Operatic Veg another Dials innovation.


According to top TV series Property Ladder if you have a cafe bar, restaurants and a children's clothing store in your area then you are officially on the “U.P.”.
Not only do we have all these lovely shops at the “Delicious Dials” we also have a Tanning Shop, a Cash Register Super Store, System Electronics ( Closed all day Weds) a Post Office and a Sixties jumble sale designer shop. As a consequence New Labour government guidelines offer our Council the chance to give special dispensation for seven more low income families to move back into the area. This is part of the new conservation area gentrification regulation. Apparently dispensation is given on aesthetic grounds and will not effect house prices detrimentally. Government statisticians have proved the presence of cheeky chappie types has a certain cachet and can actually be very deregeur. This adds value to properties as measured on the C.I. ( Cuppuccino Index.).



Vital research by Adrian Pizza my third husband, reveals that if each local shopkeeper was to make a tax deductible donation of £38.20p we could raise sufficient funds to erect seven huge illuminated stars, one for each of the Dials connecting roads. £49. 63p each would also allow ( on the percentage to the arts scheme) the illuminated stars and a Bruce William’s sculpture in the centre of the roundabout. Now that readers is good value and a great idea. I rest my case, my husband is a genius.

Good news for fans of For Sale boards, look out for the new London trend of using estate agent signs for advertising school and community events. We saw one recently advertising a party at Austin Greys’ stylish new house in Dyke Road. Yes more signs please.

Watts chemist was founded in 1901 is there an older surviving store on the Dials?

Brighton’s best loved publication “The Latest “ recently reviewed the Little Buddha eatery ,podgy scribe and scran guzzler Andrew Kay, failed to mention the hip pink & paisley interior design. Kays editor the self effacing William Smith was also spotted schmoozing at one of the BAG gallery’s superb live evening music soirees. Kay himself was again spotted at the Dials Restaurant “Burger King Tribute Night” charity auction. Where both he and the lovely Tony Udden sported Vera Duckworth wigs.
Evenings at the Dials are indeed getting swanky.




Real Celeb watching at the Dials hit new heights last month with the making of the feature film Wimbledon in nearby trendy Victoria Road .Biggest spot ever the sighting of Woody Allen- oy aveh - having a coffee at Juliet's, on fashionable Melville Road . Also spotted on the manor recently Jamie Theakston sporting a black eye at the Dials Kids clothing store. (Apparently he can be seen most days).



It’s getting like Stella Street around here what with Ken Livingstone’s pad in West Hill Street and Fat Boy Cook who really did live in a flat over the Little Buddha with his first wife. ( Now that is quality gossip.)
Has anyone seen Ken around recently?

Finally a big farewell to Ian of Compton Avenue who sadly passed on last month. He along with his Alsatian and his wood chopping will be greatly missed by many Dial-ites. Another fine Dials character bids us farewell. Ian R.I.P.


No grumbles at all this time ..... Christmas spirit and all that.

See you after the Holidays.

Enjoy.

Pizza Girl.