Proposal to create new heritage zone in Hastings Old Town
An ambitious new proposal has been put forward to create a heritage zone at Rock-a-Nore.
The idea comes from Tim McDonald, curator of the Shipwreck Museum in the Old Town, following a meeting hosted by MP Helena Dollimore asking people for proposals to improve the Old Town and seafront areas.
Tim said: “As well as the Shipwreck Museum at Rock-a-Nore, you also have the Hastings fishing beach and fleet, the Fishermen’s Museum, Hastings Aquarium, East Hill Lift, the East Well, net shops, local fisheries, Hastings Contemporary, The Dolphin pub, a wishing well and Winkle Island.
"In total there are 20 features of historical, geographical, social and cultural significance, each having an appeal to a visitor to Hastings.
“The fact that all this heritage is packed into one road little more than 350 metres long is quite remarkable. It offers a density of tourist attractions unlikely to be found in many other places.
"As the town’s main visitor thoroughfare, it should ideally proclaim: ‘This is Hastings! Welcome to an amazing town’. Rock-a-Nore Road is one of the first locations many tourists experience when they come to Hastings. What it currently proclaims is: 'This is Hastings – it’s a bit run-down, charming no doubt, but run-down’.
"Rather than just doing a smidgen of tidying up, such as dabbing a paint brush here and there, filling in the worst of the pot holes and making the pavements seem as if they were designed for visitors, rather than a cadre of SAS commandos, why not undertake a complete overhaul and re-think the entire character of Rock-a-Nore Road? It has tremendous potential as a magnet for tourism.
"The area, in spite of its current dilapidation, still has a special aura about it which is immediately apparent to visitors. At the Shipwreck Museum we hear complementary comments all the time.
"So why not give tourists a truly eye-opening experience which immediately shouts: ‘You have arrived at a special place’?
"A suitably maritime themed ceremonial arch could well do the trick, perhaps designed by Hastings sculptor Leigh Dyer, who created the winkle sculpture on Winkle Island. It could be done tastefully with a fishing themed design.
"Whatever is decided something has to be done and done fairly quickly because, at present, what should be one of the town’s great tourism assets and earner of significant revenues, is currently doing Hastings no favours at all.”