‘First of its kind’ restaurant and bar is coming to Eastbourne

THE businessman behind the venture to turn the former Heritage Centre into a new bar and restaurant is thrilled it has been given the go ahead.

Phil Cameron from Headline Venues has been speaking after Eastbourne Borough Council’s planning committee gave its approval.

He said: “We’re really excited to be taking on Tower House and to have secured its future.

“We put in a strong commercial bid to the council, which means that the taxpayer will be getting the best possible market rent for the property.

“We’ll be investing in the asset ourselves, both to restore it and to upgrade its facilities and access for the modern day.

“We have spent several months developing our designs and we were pleased to get unanimous, cross-party support for our planning application.

“Not a lot of people know that the interior was modified considerably in the 80s, removing many of its original features.

“Our plans will bring back a lot of that character and will give the building pride of place on the corner of Carlisle Road.

“Eastbourne has a lot of amazing places to eat, but this will be the first restaurant of its kind in the town, which we hope will boost the nighttime economy, as well as Carlisle Road’s reputation as a great food destination, catering for all tastes and budgets.

“We hope to do the town proud.”.

Fifteen jobs have been created.

The building is a Grade II listed former museum, and the plan includes the construction of “a part single-storey, part three-storey extension” at the rear.

It was run as Eastbourne Heritage Centre until last year, and has been vacant since.

The Heritage Centre had long served as an important cultural landmark in Eastbourne, housing historical exhibits and information about the town’s development from four disparate settlements in Victorian times.

The centre was designed by Eastbourne’s first mayor George Wallis and built in 1880 as the managers house for the Devonshire Baths.

But it closed after Eastbourne Society announced it would be unable to remain in the building after losing a rent support grant.

It came amid Eastbourne Borough Council’s efforts to find £2.7 million of savings.

Now it has a new lease of life, and planning agent Stephen Birrell spoke at the recent planning meeting on behalf of Headline Venues.

He said: “Since its closure as the Eastbourne Heritage Centre in 2025 this building has stood vacant, and ss we know, the most effective way to preserve a heritage asset is to ensure it remains in active, viable use.

He said the change of use to a restaurant lounge bar was “perfectly aligned” with the character of the Devonshire Quarter – the town’s cultural and arts hub – and would help strengthen the evening economy and enhance tourism.

There had been some objections but committee members were told the scheme would “secure the future” of the building, and they approved the scheme.