Sheikh Abid Gulzar is hoping Eastbourne Borough Council will sell him the landmark site after the failed government bid for millions of pounds of funding for the Bandstand.
And he says he will invest heavily in the Bandstand and make it at the heart of the town’s seafront again.
He said:
“It was terribly sad to see Eastbourne Bandstand closed for the whole of 2022 because it is in such a poor state.
“That cannot be right in a popular tourism town like Eastbourne.
“It was obviously disappointing that Eastbourne Borough Council failed in its Levelling Up bid to restore the Bandstand.
“The council has been honest – it does not have the money to restore the Bandstand properly.
“So give me the Bandstand and I will invest heavily in it.”
Mr Gulzar points to what he has done at Eastbourne Pier since he bought it in 2015.
He said:
“There had been a huge fire, if people remember, and the pier was a ruin.
“I have invested huge sums of money into the pier and look at it now, everyone loves it. That’s because of the investment and sheer hard work from my team and I.
“I will do the same for the Bandstand. I have the money and I know exactly what needs doing.
“I am not interested in all the political squabbling and who is right or wrong.
“This is about the future of Eastbourne, our beloved town, and I am ready for this challenge.”
Mr Gulzar says it is a great pity that the Bandstand has not been properly maintained, but he understands the council is very stretched financially.
He said he will repair cracked slabs, underpin the whole area properly and provide top quality entertainment, with tea and coffee.
“The work I am prepared to do will last long beyond my lifetime. I will take over the liability.”
He is hoping EBC will meet him as soon as possible.
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