I don't live down south any longer Russ, but when I did Brighton and the surrounding area was great for little nights. I think what Alfie said is the way forward here, you need a diverse crowd, which means mixing the music up, Brighton in my opinion is the only place on the south coast with such a population.
On the front towards Kemp town there used to be a club called the Catfish club, the guy who runs a night there that used to fill it month in month out, and he would play everything, lots of 7ts, but a bit of Reggie, soul, northern etc..was a great place to pull, being pretty much the only straight club in Kemp town. it was bit of a meat market but I really enjoyed the nights there, fabulous looking club as well, with big dance floor and great rooms and places people can hang out.
I always thought there was something about that place, and it has a history of putting on nights with soul music, not that bigger jump to push that to a new level imho, Christ I'd even travel down from bucks!!!
Maybe link something with Elaine Constantine's new film release, really go for it, big style!!! but you have market it right, and that means keeping the loyal northern crowd, and introducing new people to good quality American music, and that does mean funk, reggie, etc etc cause people like it, could introduce live music, hey you might even steal the Concords thunder...this has to be bigger than arguing the toss between oldies and newies surely.
there are allot of Modern soul lovers down there also, I was always interested in the events soul brother records in Putney seemed to be doing, mainly a black crowd I think, but they were at events all over the south, and Brighton as we all know is very diverse.
Just thinking aloud Russ, but if you look to create a beacon of light on the south coast under a bigger SOUL banner as it were, you can still keep certain music like Northern alive within that, it can be done!!
good luck to you sir!!
mal.C.