JUBILEE fever is sweeping Sussex, with crowds turning out to celebrate the “unifying” influence of the Queen with parties, corgis and live music.
Hundreds of people headed into Brighton yesterday for the first day of the Platinum Jubilee festivities.
In Church Road, Hove, shops and cafes were adorned with Union Jack bunting in anticipation of an influx of bank holiday customers.
Kala the Pembroke Welsh Corgi, the Queen’s favourite breed of dog, lapped up the attention as she walked by Hove Town Hall.
Her owners said that Kala, a rescue dog from Mexico, certainly liked to be treated like royalty.
Preparations for the four-day extravaganza began well in advance, with business seeing in a surge in customers in the build up to the bank holiday.
Ella Townsend, manager at Velvet, designed the fashion and homeware shop’s impressive jubilee-themed shop window.
She said red, white and blue clothes had been flying off the rails as people shopped for the perfect outfit.
Ella said: “There’s been a really lovely atmosphere.
“I think people want something to celebrate after lockdown.”
Ashley Tomlinson, tanning consultant at The Tanning Shop in Western Road, Brighton, said people had been coming into the shop in the hope of getting the perfect party glow.
She said: “It has definitely been busier in the last week.
“Lots of customers have been telling me they want to look their best for their street parties and barbecues.
“I felt a sense of excitement building as we approached the jubilee weekend.”
The Duck House in Brighton sold out of its royal rubber ducks weeks ago.
Georgia Meredith said the shop was down to its final few queen ducks, with most people buying them as decorations or gifts.
Payne Avenue in Hove was decked out with bunting, Union Flags and other regal-themed items, including cupcakes and candyfloss, for a busy street party.
A bouncy castle also meant there were dozens of children enjoying the festivities.
Lindsey Petken and her son Jude, five, had travelled from London to join in their party with friend Sarah Harvey.
They said the glorious weather had certainly made the event one to remember.
Friends Jayne Eagle, Lisa Hall and Sarah Ashburner said they were “blown away” by the event and were “thrilled” to be a part of the celebration.
Elsewhere in the city, pubs were packed out as punters headed to their favourite pub to raise a toast to Her Majesty.
James Barton, supervisor at The Cricketers in Black Lion Street, Brighton, said the celebrations began on Wednesday night.
He said: “We’re seeing a lot more people already and I’m only expecting it to get busier.
“I think we’ll be about a third up by the time the bank holiday is over.
“A lot of people are excited. It’s going to be fun.”
People have travelled from across the country to see how the celebrations will unfold in Brighton.
The Royal Pavilion will be illuminated in purple and platinum over the weekend in celebration of Her Majesty’s 70 years on the throne.
Hedley Swain, chief executive of the Royal Pavilion Trust, said: “We are really thrilled to be celebrating the Platinum Jubilee by lighting up the Royal Pavilion in royal colours.
“We are hosting a Platinum Jubilee picnic in the Royal Pavilion Garden on Saturday, we are looking forward to welcoming lots of people coming along to enjoy a lovely day in the garden.
“We wish the Queen a wonderful jubilee.”
Royal enthusiasts Clair Debrick and Colin Way-Mark travelled from Cardiff to be in Brighton for the bank holiday.
Clair, who runs her own private nursery, hosted a celebration for her pupils before half term, and was looking forward to seeing the events unfold on the coast.
Her Majesty thrilled the tens of thousands of cheering well-wishers packing The Mall when she appeared on the Buckingham Palace balcony yesterday, resplendent in pale blue.
She was joined by other royals, including Prince Charles and Camilla and the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and their children George, Charlotte and Louis.
Three-year-old Prince Louis almost stole the show as he stuck his fingers in his ears as the family watched the dramatic RAF flypast featuring 70 aircraft including the Red Arrows.
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