SPOTLIGHT: Pressure mounts over Sovereign Centre contract
By Rebecca Maer [Updated 18.12.2024 with council statement at end] Pressure is mounting on Eastbourne Borough Council to talk to more than one leisure operator about running the Sovereign Centre as it emerged that others are interested. Another company has confirmed to the Eastbourne Reporter that it approached the council about the centre, where two […]
SPOTLIGHT: Councillors approve shared house with eight bedrooms
By Huw Oxburgh, BBC-funded Local Democracy Reporter Eastbourne councillors have approved plans for shared housing in Meads. On Tuesday (December 10), the borough council’s planning committee approved proposals to create an eight-bedroom house in multiple occupation (HMO) in Meads Street. While the scheme had been recommended for approval, neighbours argued it would harm the Meads […]
SPOTLIGHT: New operator announced for Eastbourne’s theatres
A theatre operator with sites in London and Sydney has signed a deal to run entertainment venues in Eastbourne. The partnership deal with Eastbourne Borough Council will involve the Congress Theatre, pictured above (1,689 seats), Devonshire Park Theatre (873 seats), Winter Garden (1000+ Seats) as well as conferencing and exhibition facilities. Trafalgar Theatres – the venues […]
SPOTLIGHT: Protesters urge reprieve for swimming pools
By Rebecca Maer Dozens of protesters braved the cold and rain last night as councillors met to scrutinise the controversial decision to close two Eastbourne swimming pools. Furious residents chanted ‘Save Our Pool’ and waved placards on the steps of the town hall in Grove Road (above). The fun pool and the smaller training […]
REVIEW: Snow White
By Gary Murray They’ve done it again! Oh yes they have! The team that regularly presents the Devonshire Park Theatre’s annual panto has pulled off yet another cracking show. From the opening Oasis number, through the spectacular first-half finale and beyond, you know you’re in good hands. Leave your troubles at the door and you’ll […]
SPOTLIGHT: Decision due on shared housing in Meads conservation area
By Huw Oxburgh, BBC-funded Local Democracy Reporter Proposals for shared housing in Meads are to go before councillors next week. Eastbourne Borough Council’s planning committee is due to consider plans (Tuesday, December 10) to officially create an eight-bedroom house in multiple occupation (HMO) in Meads Street. The scheme has been recommended for approval by planning […]
SPOTLIGHT: The case for and against assisted dying
By Rebecca Maer Emotional stories of Eastbourne people’s experience of seeing loved ones at the end of their lives unfolded last night in an online discussion about assisted dying. One woman who was in favour of allowing it said: “I would not want anybody to have to go through what my husband went through and […]
SPOTLIGHT: Council committee to explore ‘further options’ for Sovereign Centre
By Huw Oxburgh, BBC-funded Local Democracy Reporter The leader of Eastbourne Borough Council has committed to making no “irreversible changes” to swimming pools at a leisure centre ahead of further investigations into its future. The commitment was made at a full council meeting last night (November 20), in response to a motion submitted by Conservative […]
SPOTLIGHT: Eastbourne and Lewes councils chief to also head Hastings council
By Rebecca Maer The chief executive of Eastbourne and Lewes Councils is to also head up Hastings Borough Council for six months, it has been confirmed tonight. Robert Cottrill, whose salary at Eastbourne and Lewes is around £145,000 a year, is to replace Jane Hartnell in Hastings, who left three weeks ago “by mutual consent”. […]
REVIEW: Dracula
By Gary Murray As part of an extensive tour, Blackeyed Theatre brought their production of Dracula to the Devonshire Park Theatre last night. Like Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein, Dracula is one of the classics of Victorian literature. Count Dracula resides in a castle in Transylvania, modern-day Romania. He is about to purchase some property in England […]