THE LIFE of Eastbourne’s iconic bandstand should be extended by decades with extensive repairs to the stage and roof, the borough council’s conservation advisory group heard last night.
The existing plywood stage floor has wet rot and is now deemed to be dangerous, according to a report to the group on the Grade II-listed building.
The online meeting of the group debated the merits of a synthetic floor or a timber floor for the stage, which had originally been teak in the 1935-built bandstand.
The conservation group’s task was to decide: do the proposed works preserve the significance of the listed building and the character and appearance of the conservation area?
All the timber joists, decking and severely corroded steel beams must be removed and will be replaced as part of extensive repair work.
The distinctive blue-green tiles are fixed onto a reinforced concrete shell and it is expected damage will be found underneath when this is investigated.
Liberal Democrat-controlled Eastbourne Borough Council closed the venue this year while it spends £750,000 to repair the stage and parts of the main structure.
Conservative councillor Paul Metcalfe (Sovereign), shadow cabinet member for tourism, previously questioned why the work had not been carried out during the pandemic when the bandstand was not in use.
The bandstand was built at a cost of £28,000 as part of a seafront improvement scheme which replaced a Victorian bandstand which had stood at the same spot.
Chris Connelley, special adviser on conservation, told last night’s meeting: “It was a building that helped define the quality of Eastbourne.”
He said the original stage floor had been teak which was replaced at some point in the 1990s with plywood during “a series of patched repair jobs”.
Tim Dashwood, of project manager Faithful and Gould, said materials being investigated were based on recycled plastic which looked like a teak finish.
Conservative Coun Colin Belsey (Ratton) suggested that this type of floor could lift once water got into the joints and said he believed it would be better to have timber.
“If we are going to do it properly and make it last for another century, let’s look at it properly. It comes down to looking after what you have got,” he said.
Nicholas Howell, planning adviser of the Eastbourne Society, told the meeting: “This is a one-off building: a synthetic floor may not be a cost-effective solution and not ideal for heavy use.
“Maintaining a timber floor won’t be that expensive: a sanding every two or three years and another coat of oil to protect it.
“Decades of neglect have led to the decay so I feel it would be a false economy to have a synthetic floor when a good quality timber floor will last a lifetime.”
In contrast, architect Simon Barker, chair of the Eastbourne Design Review Panel, said: “I don’t think we should be too precious about it. It should be made to be fit for purpose, value for money and ecologically sound.
“I don’t think it matters what material is used. Don’t we need to leave it to the design team to decide the best option from every viewpoint?”
Conservation group chair Coun Steve Wallis (Ind, Devonshire) said he would like to see full consideration given to the grade of steel to be used in the replacement beams under the stage, because that would make a difference to the lifespan of the bandstand.
It was noted that the majority expressed a preference for a timber floor which the design team would bear in mind when finalising the technical details, in addition to considering the steel grade to use.
Upcoming concerts are currently listed on the bandstand website as taking place at the Winter Garden, Compton Street.
An application by the council goes before its own planning committee next Monday to carry out the works. It is recommended for approval.
It notes that the stage structure would be entirely replaced with a new beam and block design. This involves using a concrete block structure under the stage which would support horizontal steel beams under the stage surface.
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The bandstand stands proud of the promenade, not that its design is iconic but it serves communities well all through the year. It is sad that it has been neglected through the years however I hope that councilors can make a decision on good workmanship and material that lasts!