The Final Flight of Seagull: A Reflection

A reflection on the last four years. Goodbye, flock.

The Final Flight of Seagull: A Reflection

Well, flock, the time has come to spread our wings and soar into new horizons. After much thought, we’ve decided it’s time for Seagull to take its final landing.

As we prepare for this bittersweet goodbye, we’ve been reflecting on everything we’ve built over the last four years. It’s hard to put into words the depth of what we’ve accomplished, but one thing is clear: Seagull has always been more than just a project. It’s been a community, a mission, and a space for voices that deserved to be heard.

What started as our co-founders sprawled on the grass outside St Peter’s Church imagining a better way to deliver local news grew into a platform where stories could truly soar. We set out with a vision to deliver thoughtful, impactful content that mattered to people, and to help our community become more civically engaged.

Over the years, we’ve celebrated so many milestones:

  • In April 2022, we broke the story of the University of Brighton suffering up to £3.7 million in financial fraud—eight days before other publications picked it up—thanks to a tip from a source.
  • That same month, we published Gareth Lloyd’s superb feature, Brighton’s unheralded role in Hollywood: When the Seagulls swooped in to help save “superstar club” Wrexham AFC, which remains one of our most-read articles.
  • We reviewed The Great Escape in 2022 and 2023, and joined the boycott in 2024—a difficult but necessary decision.
  • We covered Brighton Fringe from 2022 to 2024, running the Seagull Awards to celebrate the best comedians, plays, sketch shows, and more. Seeing recipients share their excitement for those awards brought us so much joy.
  • We celebrated reaching 1,000 subscribers—an achievement we’re still incredibly proud of.
  • We launched merch, from our Seagull Recommends stickers to some very good mugs.
  • We covered the council elections in May 2023, witnessing Labour sweep the council.
  • We relaunched Seagull with a party at Projects Brighton, which coincided with the start of our membership program. Thanks to that program, we were able to cover our costs, and we’re unimaginably grateful for everyone who supported us.

We also made it a priority to pay writers for their thoughtful, insightful contributions—something we’re incredibly proud of. Along the way, we’ve reported on issues that often fall between the cracks, celebrated the people behind the stories, and strived to bring you engaging, impactful content.

To everyone who perched here with us—thank you for your tweets, your squawks of support, and the way you’ve helped this little nest grow. Your kindness has left us beakless! Whether you joined us for a single story or stayed for the entire flight, your support has meant the world to us.

This project has been a feather in our cap, and it’s been an incredible flight alongside all of you. From hatching our first ideas to watching them take off, every moment has been a joy. You’ve made this journey so incredibly special, and we’re deeply grateful for each and every one of you.

As Seagull comes to a close, we’re filled with gratitude for what we’ve achieved together. This isn’t just the end of a project; it’s the closing of a chapter that has shaped us in countless ways. The lessons, connections, and memories will carry forward into everything we do next.

Though Seagull is flying the coop, its spirit will keep soaring. While this may be goodbye for now, it’s not the end of the journey. We’re taking off for new skies, and who knows where the next flight will land?

Thank you for making this flight unforgettable. Here’s to every story, every conversation, and every connection we’ve shared. Here’s to Seagull—and here’s to the future.

With endless gratitude,

Team Seagull