Leaseholder ordered to refurbish former Azur seafront venue in St Leonards within 6 months

Marina Pavilion has been empty since January 2024 when previous tenant Azur, which incorporated Teddy's Cocktail Bar and Grill, ceased trading.

The venue went back on the market in the summer following repair work, said economic development company Sea Change Sussex which is the leaseholder of the building. The site is owned by Hastings Borough Council.

A Sea Change spokesperson said: “Having made a recent call for proposals from companies interested in taking on the Marina Pavilion, we’re pleased to have received several well-considered submissions.

“All the proposals are conditional on works being carried out to the property and consent to both the letting and potentially required works from Hastings Borough Council.

“As the level of works vary between each party, we’ll be seeking further information and reviewing the proposals with our building surveyors so we can compare them fully and fairly.

“Unfortunately, there have been some delays to this process because, despite previous discussions, Hastings Borough Council has served notice on us demanding the property be refurbished – within six months – in a manner that includes the completion of works not due until the lease ends in 2077.

“This has led to unexpected uncertainty in the process, which we’re seeking to resolve so we can move forward.

“We’ve taken advice on this matter, alongside issues of vandalism, electrical problems and flooding from overflowing drains connected to the adjoining public toilets.

“We’re now seeking discussions with the council to attempt to get back to a more reasonable, measured approach to works that fully accounts for the situation at the property, and hope we can agree a way forward that will accelerate the reopening of the premises.”

A question mark hung over the venue’s future in the last year before it shut its doors due to a ‘long-running dispute’ between the company managing it, Azur Events Limited, and the leasehold owner Sea Change Sussex.

Sea Change brought forward a winding-up order and an out-of-court settlement was later reached between both parties.

In June 2024 Sea Change said 11 potential operators expressed interest in taking over the running of the seafront venue following Azur’s closure.

However, it said it had to withdraw the property from the market when it became apparent that communal services in the wider Marina complex – retained by Hastings Borough Council – were unsafe and the timescales for repairs were uncertain.

The company said it has since worked with the council and UK Power Networks, installing a new mains power supply to service the Marina Pavilion and neighbouring properties, as well as rectifying problems with the shared drainage and fire escape.

Hastings Borough Council has been approached for a comment.