The group is non-political and to date has been self-financed. The priority will always be to get the Bandstand restored and reopened but having consulted with thousands of residents, businesses and visitors it is clear that there is great concern and anger that the seafront has been neglected and is looking shabby, many of the attractions are closed and boarded up, Bandstand, Redoubt, Fort Fun, Wish Tower no sign of the Dotto Train, with poor promenade lighting, anti-social behaviour and a general feeling of neglect, so we have widened the campaign for a much improved and reopened sea front. Businesses are concerned that the closure of the Bandstand will have a negative impact on the tourism economy in the town.

We have seen tremendous interest and support in our campaign, we have spoken to many groups in the town and thousands of people, in a few weeks we collected over 6000 signatures to Save the Bandstand, have over 1000 people on our mailing list and have received considerable media coverage. We have held two well attended public meetings attended by residents and businesses, the Environment Agency, Senior Officers and our MP.

We have the support of Caroline Ansell MP and Leader of the Council, Cllr David Tutt and are working closely with Senior Officers and Councillors. We are pleased to say that we have drawn attention to the poor state of the Bandstand and the wider Seafront, and a funding opportunity has arisen.

We have been invited to be part of the group working on the Levelling Up Fund 2 bid. As part of the process, we were asked to share our vision of the seafront with the Council. After consultation with others, we have done this, and the documentation can be found on our Friends of Eastbourne Seafront Facebook Group under files. 

A current matter for concern is that on 7th February 2022 Eastbourne Borough Council agreed to undertake a review of their assets to establish an asset disposal list. They agreed to develop a scheme for key strategic seafront sites to gain commercial/residential planning consent to maximise value. At the same time the Council also agreed not to consult with residents and businesses on the matter.

Friends of Eastbourne Seafront are asking the Council to be open and transparent in this and to consult with residents and businesses. We know the Council have had to agree to sell many of their assets because of their financial difficulties, we understand that that is not always a bad thing.

But we don’t want to find that parts of Eastbourne are being sold off or given away.

We would encourage you to join our Facebook Group and keep up to date with our campaign.

We would love to hear from businesses who may be impacted by the Bandstand closure or who are not happy with the condition of the seafront, would like to work with us and to get involved.