Hastings to get £1 million to create new shops and food outlets

Hastings is to get £1 million to kickstart four new projects for the town.
An artist's impression of the market-style retail and food outlets at The Source Park (White Rock Baths) SUS-200929-092106001An artist's impression of the market-style retail and food outlets at The Source Park (White Rock Baths) SUS-200929-092106001
An artist's impression of the market-style retail and food outlets at The Source Park (White Rock Baths) SUS-200929-092106001

The Town Deal Board put in a bid for the money and found out this week it had been successful.

The four projects approved include restoration of the long-disused courtyard space at The Source Park (former White Rock Baths) into spaces for new market-style shops and food outlets; a new employment, events and advice hub in the ground floor of East Sussex College Group’s Station Plaza building, offering job seekers help and support, conference space and a tourism training hub for students; increasing the number of electric vehicle charging points in the seafront/town centre car parks, by installing new additional fast electric vehicle charging points; and new retail, training and outdoor space at ‘Hastings Commons’ located in the Lower Alley behind Claremont.

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Hastings is one of more than 100 places chosen to benefit from the transformative £3.6 billion Towns Fund, with each area receiving support to produce a bespoke, multi-million-pound ‘Town Deal’ to improve their area.

Hastings and Rye MP Sally-Ann Hart said: “The Conservatives were elected on a promise to level up and spread opportunity across the country, and with this funding for Hastings we are delivering on that pledge.

“£1 million will make a massive difference to our town and help accelerate economic growth at a critical time, driving our community forward and making it an even more attractive place to live.

“I will continue to work closely with local leaders and the Government to ensure this money is invested wisely and reflects local priorities, to ensure our community gets the maximum possible benefit.”

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Hastings Town Deal joint chairs Carole Dixon and Graham Peters, said: “This is an excellent start to the wider Town Deal process and an exciting time for our town, it offers substantial investment for Hastings.

“There will be an opportunity to regenerate these areas, to offer exceptional business premises, new amenity spaces and training areas.

“These are aspirational regeneration projects that will help Hastings, its businesses and its young people to maximise their opportunities and look beyond Covid-19 to a brighter future.”

Cllr Kim Forward, leader of Hastings Borough Council, said: “We are delighted that the bid has been successful. This news comes at a time when we have been impacted heavily by Covid-19 and these projects should offer our economy a boost.

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“They will also give our residents and the visitors we welcome each year great new amenities and spaces to enjoy.”

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