Not just any pub

Of course, pubs close every day and there will be those who haven’t enjoyed its style over the last decade, but this building is on a par with the DLWP in relation to its historical significance to the entire town.

The Bell is not just ANY failing pub but one of the classic elements - church, pub, manor house - that constitutes a traditional English village and was the basis of the original Bexhill community itself.

Rumours now abound. I understand that the Old Town Preservation Society may have had some interest in the building but that this has gone no further.

The current owners made an encouraging but inconclusive statement to the Observer - just prior to then sealing the structure - but that’s all so far.

One possible solution for continued use would be a residential conversion incorporating licensed premises on a smaller but adequate scale. In many respects the layout would seem ideal for such a scheme.

It seems this sort of notion is continually thwarted by planning considerations, particularly parking provision, although examples in Hastings and elsewhere suggest a local authority can be flexible - if it chooses.

Modern cheap video surveillance technology could perhaps offer a solution that utilised the large adjacent car park if there was more co-operation overall.

I felt that the previous antagonism shown towards the provision of a smoking shelter at the Bell (eventually overturned by an Inspector( reflected very badly on those supposedly concerned with taking the town forward.

In the overall context it is difficult to see any immediate way out of a long period of stalemate!

In terms of the overall historic legacy of Bexhill, preserving such a significant feature should be a top priority and the Old Town should continue to have at least two of its three main features in use.

I wouldn’t even rule out rebuilding the unfortunately destroyed manor house at some point, fanciful as that may seem to some!

DAVE WALSH

Rotherfield Avenue

Bexhill-on-Sea