Seafront Walk & Changing Face of Hastings

Before reaching the seafront I walked past Priory Meadow, noting that the car park is free to enter for now, although the hours of opening are now 07.00 to 19.00 (above). Presumably this is connected to the recent flood and ongoing work, still, free, eh?!?

Then, turning right onto the seafront after walking through Robertson Street and the America Ground, I wandered up to Hastings Pier, which remains closed, but the promise of its reopening very soon under new management (Sussex World). Indeed, the Pavilion to the front and west (above) is to become an Italian/Mediterranean Restaurant, and the central Deck Pavilion is to become a French Bistro and bar, with other food offerings from the huts, so, good news, and roll on!

Where the waste pipe from the drain opposite The Carlisle and Albert Road was damaged what seems like years ago, well, that appears to being worked on at last!

Hastings Jewel in the Crown, St Mary in the Castle (blog), and the restaurant, remain closed, with its own Shanty Town in front; be wary if you have small children or a dog as you go by, as detritus in the vicinity includes drug use throwaways. People either loved Jeremy Birch (R.I.P.) or didn't, but I tend to believe he would not have let this situation develop for what he called Hastings Jewel in the Crown if he had still been leader of the Council. However, there does appear to be expressions of interest being made to the Council including from a community consortium, so, fingers crossed...

Oh yes, and The Deluxe Bingo Hall closed at the weekend, although it appears that the amusement arcade is still functioning, at least the machines are still lit; I've heard their lease lasts for a while longer. And another Hastings seafront building that made an obvious cameo appearance in the film Byzantium (blog).

So, things do change, stay safe folks!