39-41 George Street; It's Coming Down!

As I suggested in a recent blog, it is now being demolished, with the hope that a new development will improve the ambience, also looking forward to the refurbishment and re-opening of the Rainbow Restaurant next door, fingers crossed!

The road and footpath will remain closed for who knows how long, although access to the buildings on the right is allowed, but to walk down George Street means walking past and turning by The Albion to cut through.

Things are changing, and Good, and not so Good, News!

I've been waiting to drink on Hastings Pier again for quite a while now, and they do sell bottle-conditioned St Austell Proper Job, at 5.5% a beefed up and better version of the cask ale I believe, and many others agree, and which helped me through the dreaded lockdowns (blog). So I visited La Belle Vue (website) on the pier, the recently opened French bistro and bar, and chatted to the proprietor Keir a couple of days before coming here for a drink, indeed, I took the photograph above on the south facing upstairs 'outside' bar just before meeting her.

I came back on Saturday and drank in the downstairs bar, where I was served by the proficient Lucien, who I got on famously with as he had studied at the University of Exeter, and I had trained and worked in Exeter many years before, indeed, before he was born! 😁 However, when he wasn't carrying out his dealing with other customer duties we did share memories of the wonderful city that is Exeter, and which feels more like a town, and where I haven't visited since 2009, having lived here in the mid/late 1980s (blog written by Kieran).

I did drink a few pints, first, La Belle Vue Cidre (4.8%), which I believe to be from Appleshed Cider of Hereford (twitter), and made with apples that grow in their own "orchards that shelter beneath the Malvern Hills in Gloucestershire." A medium dry cider, not as dry as the usual ciders I drink, but very refreshing, and just £4.40 a pint, on a seaside pier, great value indeed!

I then drank La Belle Vue Lager, or Bière Blonde (4.0%), I haven't been able to work out where it's from, but it was very good, and tasted more like a Belgian blonde ale than a lager to me, although not quite the potency of many Belgian beers. 😁 At 4.0% I could drink this all day, and at just £4.25 a pint, I could nearly afford to drink it all day, excellent value! 😉

My final pint was of Grand Central IPA (above photo and 4.2%), which is brewed in the Manchester area, I believe by Hydes Brewery of Salford. This is what I call a 'crafty keg' beer, and 'vegan friendly' with a slight haze. Brewed with 6 different hops from the USA and Australia, consequently packed with citrus and forest fruit flavours, and quite delicious, cheers!

Oh yes, and La Belle Vue is primarily a French restaurant (website), with traditional French starters including Soupe à l'oignon, Escargot, Leek Terrine et Cuisses de grenouille, main meals as the above menu, and interesting bar snacks too (facebook). I also briefly chatted to another couple of staff, very friendly respectful service, and met up with Keir again, which was a nice touch to end my visit, I'll be back! 👌 

Also, St Andrews Mews, which I have written about a few times before, eg blog, is under new ownership, and pastel shades of paint are now adorning the walls, and things are changing indeed. The cafe that was there has been enlarged and is now a 'bar & grill' and a smaller takeaway coffee outlet has arrived too, some businesses are staying, some have left, and some new ones are arriving, watch this space!

After the fire at 39-41 George Street, reported in this blog, and the postponement of the new building project, I have it on good authority the demolition of the old amusement arcade/night club is happening. Sadly, the neighbouring Rainbow Restaurant, 11 Sturdee Place, cannot start it's own rebuilding/refurbishment until the demolition is complete and it is safe to work there, so not for some months yet (facebook).

Oh yes, forgot to mention that the drainage appears to be sorted out, at least here!

Jack in the Green Preparation. Mainly Photographs!

A wander along George Street and Rock-a-Nore Road today, beautiful blue sky, Spotted the Jack in the Green peeps putting up greenery, here at the Dolphin Inn.

Webbes

The Standard

 Bob decorating!

Another Home

End of George Street

The Albion, George Street 

T'other End of George Street

Oh yes, the Jack in the Green Festival is soon to start, if you hadn't noticed, with a music session this evening in the Stag, All Saints Street, from 8pm (website).

Enjoy the weekend!

Update on George Street Armed Robbery!

From the Sussex Police website: they are "appealing for witnesses after the owner of a convenience store in George Street, Hastings, was threatened with a gun as two men in balaclavas stole cash and cigarettes from behind the counter."

"The robbery took place at the Premier Store at around 7.10am on Tuesday (6 February)" while the manager and a male assistant were preparing for the day. "Neither was hurt."

"The suspects were both black, wearing black balaclavas, dark jackets and grey jogging bottoms. One was 5' 10", of stocky build and aged 25-30. He carried what appeared to be a black hand gun, although this was not fired. The second suspect was younger, in his late teens or early 20s, 5' 9"-6'.

After leaving the store both robbers made off down an alleyway towards West Street.

Anyone who saw the incident or who may have other information is asked to contact police online or phone 101, quoting serial 178 of 06/02. Alternatively, please visit the Crimestopperswebsite or contact the independent charity anonymously on 0800 555 111."

Paddy's Night at The Albion!

The very local and boisterous Garry Blakeley Band are playing at The Albion in George Street this evening, enjoy the craic!

Lá fhéile Pádraig sona dhaoibh!