Proposals For Hastings Town Deal Go Before Government

Hastings Town Deal Board has submitted four capital build projects to the Government for assessment and approval.

The four proposals will use funding offered to all Town Deal areas for use on building projects.

They must be able to be completed by March 2021 as well as meet other specific conditions set out by government.

Hastings has been allocated up to £1m to spend, the four projects gone forward for approval by the government are:

• The White Rock Baths (part of The Source Park), to re-develop the remainder of the site that has been derelict for decades. The funding will be used refurbish and re-open the units around the outdoor courtyard, transforming them into unique market-style retail and food outlets. 
• An Employment, Events and Advice Hub at East Sussex College Group's Station Plaza building. This will repurpose part of the ground floor to offer a; one-stop-shop employability/job-seeking centre where jobcentre plus, employers, careers advisors and employability organisations can all provide help to those needing a job or skilling in a new job, a conferencing/training facility and a tourism training hub for students.
• Increasing the electric vehicle charging infrastructure in the seafront/town centre car parks, through the installation of additional fast electric vehicle charging points. This will allow opportunities for visitors with electric vehicles to travel more confidently to our town as well as contribute to ambitions in our Climate Emergency Strategy 
• Creating new retail, training and outdoor space at 'Hastings Commons' located in the Lower Alley behind Claremont, continuing the ongoing improvements to the alley area and adding to the ever growing independent and quirky America Ground, Rock House and Observer building quarter.

Carole Dixon, Town Deal Board Co-chair said:

"A call for proposals was broadcast through the Town Deal Board, local councillors and through their associated networks. Other organisations also assisted with the call for proposals; promoting the opportunity through their channels, which resulted in a range of strong projects being submitted.

"Through these expressions of interest it was possible to identify potential projects that met the criteria for the accelerated fund and which meet the needs in the borough."

Graham Peters, Town Deal Board Co-chair added:

"These projects will bring investment to different areas of the town, including providing premises for small businesses, aiding recovery of the post COVID-19 economy, investing in low carbon infrastructure, while also providing new amenity and training spaces, all playing to the town's strengths and driving the economy towards a more vibrant future."

Cllr Kim Forward, leader of Hastings Borough Council said:

"These submitted proposals offer our town's economy a huge boost, especially at time when it has been impacted heavily by COVID-19. This funding will provide substantial support for our town's future and provide development opportunities that will benefit businesses, residents and encourage visitors to our unique town."

Philip Johnson, Director for Locate East Sussex said:

"Locate East Sussex was delighted to work alongside Hastings Borough Council officers to provide an independent perspective on the impressive range and quality of proposals. Whether successful through this process or not, every proposal submitted is contributing to the development of the wider Town Deal process.

"The four recommended projects were assessed alongside all others submitted against his programme's eligibility criteria and their ability to be finished by March 2021. This £1m fund and the wider Town Deal program is an exciting prospect for Hastings, helping to not only regenerate our town through building, but also contributing towards wider regional ambitions to support economic growth and attract new investment and businesses to the area".