Bexhill's Colonnade traders meet with Rother chief executive in bid to save businesses; thousands sign petitions

Traders at the listed building said they have been ordered by Rother District Council to close due to planned refurbishment of the Colonnade.

An online petition was launched by Charlotte Arundell and Sonia Valentini, calling for the businesses to be saved.

So far it has been signed by more than 2,000 people.

A separate paper petition has also attracted more than 1,500 signatures, Charlotte said.

The shops affected are Eleven@Colonnade, The Pebble People, Rachel's Glass Store, Hughies Beach Cafe and The Bag Lady.

The main café at the Colonnade, called The Colonnade, is unaffected.

Charlotte said she and the other traders met with Rother’s chief executive, Lorna Ford, together with councillors Doug Oliver, Christine Bayliss, and Joe Powell.

She said: “At present several shops and Hughies café are set to close at the end of September with no guarantee we can return to our shops. For all of us these businesses are our main or only source of income. Some of us have been trading at the Colonnade for over 13 years.

“We handed over a letter addressed to the chief executive at the meeting with a proposal to try and save our businesses. Rother mentioned a potential support package for the traders, including looking for a pop-up shop.

“However, some of our key worries are still unanswered. We are unsure of the rent increases. Rother still said it wants to market the Colonnade after the refurbishment is finished in the spring. We know that is not an instant process and even after the council has decided on which businesses has been successful in getting a kiosk it is taking six months to process leases.

“We were hoping to reopen in the spring with a vibrant relaunch with a mix of established and new businesses. This would give us all a greater chance of survival because of the higher footfall during the summer months. This is looking unlikely. We are also still concerned that devolution means the Colonnade is left closed until negotiations are complete.

“We are also uncertain as to how long we can remain in the pop-up shop if we are unsuccessful in reapplying for our own shops.”

A spokesperson for Rother District Council said: “The essential works planned for later this year are required to ensure the future of the historic Colonnade and to ensure it remains a vibrant asset for Bexhill and the wider district.

“We have developed a package of support for those businesses impacted and will continue to work with our tenants over the coming months.”

Bexhill MP Dr Kieran Mullan said: “I understand the challenges Rother District Council faces in ensuring council-owned assets provide best value for money for the taxpayer. However, the traders really need more certainty about the future so they can plan ahead.

“Whilst, at this stage, Rother has advised that no long-term commitments can be given, I have supported the traders’ request that that they maintain clear and direct dialogue with them which will allow the traders to make decisions about their businesses at the earliest possible opportunity. I have received assurance that they now have a direct line of communication to a senior officer at the council who will keep them updated as plans progress.”

The petition can be found at www.change.org/p/sign-to-save-the-colonnade-shops-hughies-café-in-bexhill.