‘Eastbourne Seafront is wonderful but it should be so much better’

Opinion by Gaynor Sedgwick, Director Friends of Eastbourne Seafront

Recently our Welcome Team – who greet visitors, give directions, assistance and information daily on the seafront – asked visitors what they thought about our seafront.

The results were, on the whole, very positive.

Visitors, many of whom return to Eastbourne time and time again, commented on the cleanliness, they enjoyed the Bandstand and commented on how smartened up it is this year.

Many comments too about the flower beds and borders, and how nice they are looking. 

Our volunteer Gardening Team looks after most of the beds and it’s been refreshing to see Glendale, the new Council Contractors, doing much more work on the beds too.

Visitors from Yorkshire were really impressed and congratulated the Council and Friends of Eastbourne Seafront volunteers.

Visitors enjoy the flat promenade and the quietness and calmness of the seafront. 

Of course, we know it isn’t always like that but great to know that so many people have a positive experience of the seafront and keep returning. 

There were comments about bikes, particularly electric bikes going too fast along the Prom, and a lack of Police presence.

We have long campaigned for further improvements and maintenance of so much of the promenade. Railings and lampposts need to be painted, the shelter opposite the Langham Hotel needs cleaning and painting and benches need repair.

The anti-social behaviour around the Pier needs to be addressed. We have been asking for the ‘temporary’ shelter under the Pier to be dismantled – that would make the area lighter, and the open space it would create will prevent the anti-social behaviour that happens around it.

The Pier owner refuses to remove it voluntarily, but why don’t EBC Enforcement Officers take action?

We understand that seafront maintenance will be addressed by EBC this year which is excellent news.

Our seafront is wonderful but it should be so much better.

The Redoubt Fortress needs to be repaired and reopened, the Bandstand fully restored and reopened, and the Fort Fun site developed into a significant family attraction.

The Seafront Strategy – which hundreds of us participated in – lets EBC know what we want.

The newly-formed Seafront Executive Board – of which Foes is a member – will be tasked with ensuring this happens and our seafront becomes a place where people want to visit more and more, improving our economy, celebrating our historic buildings, including the Wish Tower.

A historic trail from the Wish Tower to Redoubt would be exciting, with re-enactments and guides.

And we want to see much more for families to do.

Working together, we can do it.