Major refurbishment of former TJ Hughes building in Eastbourne announced

Plans are in the pipeline for the former TJ Hughes store to be a new landmark building with shops on the ground floor and 56 flats on the upper floors.

A consultation gets underway tomorrow (Wednesday May 5) and will run until May 25 ahead of a planning application being submitted to Eastbourne council.

According to developers, the new ‘landmark’ building would be called Burlington Corner and will be a catalyst for regeneration of the area.

The former department store on the corner of Terminus Road and Seaside Road has been empty for nearly two years and has fallen into a state of disrepair.

A professional design team is preparing a planning application for the site, which officials say, will meet Eastbourne’s need for new homes while retaining flexible commercial space at ground floor.

A spokesperson at Capreon, a real estate investment, management and advisory firm, said, “Detailed discussions have progressed with the council on the scheme and design. In addition, a professional team has been working on preparing specialist reports required by the council to support a planning application. The proposed uses will be commercial at ground floor and a good mixture of well designed 56 flats on the upper floors which meets the council’s planning policy aims.

“The aim is to create a new stylish Landmark building to act as a catalyst for regeneration and a focus in this part of Eastbourne.”

The spokesperson said the building has been owned by the Rachel Charitable Trust for nearly 20 years. The registered charity invests receipts in good causes, primarily special needs care and education. The property is seen by the charity as a declining asset and the proposals as an improvement on the existing vacancy and condition.

The spokesperson added, “The benefits of the scheme will be new, much needed housing including affordable homes meeting local housing need a new use replacing a vacant building bringing new activity and vitality to a prominent location; the proposals offer the opportunity to stimulate economic growth; through construction and commercial activity new jobs will be created and a new construction will be key to aiding local economic recovery as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic.

“The owners see the proposals as an innovative approach to a challenging site.”