Doing nothing is not an option

At the council's cabinet meeting on Monday, councillors approved a scaled-down version of the original plan, which involved a great deal of excavation behind the Grade II listed building.

The new plan, which is estimated to cost 2m as opposed to the first version's estimated price tag of 3.6m, also involves excavation but significantly less.

These earthworks have been a major concern with residents, particularly because they are so expensive.

However it might sweeten the pill slightly to know that excavation under this new blueprint will be of direct benefit to Bexhill Rowing Club, at which Row4Charity's 'oarsome foursome' are based.

Councillors heard on Monday that the 145 square metre earthworks will link the Colonnade directly to the planned new building for the rowing club, which is currently enduring cramped quarters.

They also heard it would cost an estimated 400,000 to fix the leaks which have been springing up in the Colonnade's internal areas over the years (pictured).

There's no doubt this elegant listed building needs some attention, sooner rather than later.

After all if Rother District Council chooses to do nothing to the Colonnade, there's every chance the seafront centrepiece could fall into rack and ruin 20 years or so down the line.

And that really would be a travesty.