(Mostly Good) News about Empty Buildings + Roadworks

The once gracious Post Office in the town centre, and the much newer University of Brighton building adjacent/behind it, are to become 41 flats and 667 square metres of commercial floorspace (The Argus). Very glad to see the old Post Office building will be refurbished, but sad that the University of Brighton couldn't find enough students for its Hastings campus. Oh yes, and where will the new inhabitants find to park vehicles?

And things are moving for business around Hastings Castle and St Mary in the Castle, 10 years ago our glittering 'Jewel in the Crown' (blog), but sadly not for the church itself at the moment. The management of Hastings Castle and the adjacent cafe by the top of West Hill lift, is now to be run by Troika Projects (HBC website), and the shopping arcade, design based on Burlington Arcade, is to become a food hall with 7 different ethnic food restaurant booths (Sussex World); Indian, Italian, Turkish, Mexican, Chinese, Japanese and Korean.

Now I do realise that there are roadworks in other parts of town, and my thoughts go out to the drivers, and pedestrians, who have to put up with them. But nearest to where I live are these roadworks by The Carlisle at the seafront, and where they go on and on, no joke...

Half Marathon Cancelled, and Roadworks Extended.

Sadly, the Hastings Half Marathon 2025 has been cancelled (facebook). Apparently the man who is in custody is being held under the Mental Health Act.

And the roadworks at the seafront have been extended by another week, life, eh...

The fence is up!

And the road has been closed west of Iceland overnight recently for a new road surface, fewer pot holes now obviously, and people are still blaming HBC not ESCC!

Continuing Roadworks Along Seafront

Well, we know that roadworks along the seafront are going on for a while still, but replacing the wee wall is taking a bit longer than just the 3 days oginally planned (blog), I suspect someone at East Sussex Highways was unaware that the wall and island separating the road along East Parade was at different heights either side! Apparently, waiting to erect a fence now!

Some Updates Regarding Hastings...

Following the public consultation about the town centre over a year ago now (blog), things are happening, ish... The road along the seafront is being worked on (see further down), apparently by the same people as will be working on the proposed new pathway to the seafront from the town centre. However, the so-called 'pedestrianised' town centre still isn't, for a few years now in fact, and be careful dodging the cars, vans and motorcycles tearing through!

Along the seafront, the empty Chatsworth Hotel has now been bought by Buckswood School, apparently for short-stay accommodation for pupils (Sussex World), but maybe for hotel accommodation for visiting relatives too? And will what was the Indian Restaurant be reopened as a restaurant of some sort I wonder, remembering that Buckswood managed the St Mary in the Castle restaurant for some time a while ago (blog), and what will happen there?!?

The refurbishment of the road along the seafront will continue, and the low wall in the middle of the road in front of East Parade is going to be removed; planned for Monday the 10th and Wednesday the 12th of March 2025, working between 09.30 and 16.30 (East Sussex Highways). For details of all planned roadworks go to the Hastings Borough Council website.

Queens Road - Closed this morning to through traffic

Queens Road is closed/blocked off between the 2 entrances to Morrisons this morning (Tuesday), so if wanting to go shopping there by car or van, you can get into the car park either way still, pedestrians have no problem walking down the road, just vehicles blocked. I spoke to one of the lads, and he told me that they are making available manhole covers, and other access points, that had been covered/partially covered when the road has had resurfacing work carried out. This is this morning, I presume they are gradually moving along the road, so be aware traffic wise.

I had been shopping up Bohemia Road at Lidl but had decided to walk back via Alexandra Park,  gorgeous day and reasonably quiet... Although it was the first time I have ever seen a police car patrolling inside the park, and I spotted a black headed gull too, presumably a wee bit lost, not the police car! 😉

Seafront Roadworks now over and other news...

The roadworks that were announced to last for 13 weeks (blog) have, indeed, done so, and the seafront is back to normal today (above), well, as normal as it can be these days, although the pedestrian crossing isn't working again yet, not that it's needed!*

* I have since read (overnight 05/06 April, many thanks Rod) that the update to the gas supply hadn't been finished in the 13 weeks, so expect more disruption later in the year.

Fewer people about whilst I was out for my daily permitted exercise earlier, perhaps more people will emerge to ensure their daily Vitamin D requirement is reached (NHS).

I also noticed that parking at Priory Meadow is free at the moment, which, I presume, is for the few shops still open there, M&S Foodhall, Grape Tree, Post Office/Smiths  and Boots indoors, and Poundland and Superdrug; although there's not much else to do in the town centre... 

Whilst talking about town centre shops, the Sainsbury's Local is still opening at 08.00, whilst Tesco Express is now opening at 10.00, although this morning (Sunday) they appear to have a 'technical problem' and there is a notice that it is closed until solved; definitely open again on Monday 6th April, I just shopped there.

Despite there not being much to do in the town centre these days, the 6-8 usual gregarious 'social drinkers' appear to be very happy congregating there. No 'social distancing' for them it appears...

Finally, has anyone received the 'letter to the nation' concerning Coronavirus that our Prime Minister said he would send to you a week ago? Despite the cost being estimated at nearly £6 million, I still haven't received it yet either! However, this website tells you what it says, if you want to read it, although he provides no new information.

Well, that's the latest news from me, be careful folks!

Many Roadworks!

I've already mentioned in a blog a few days ago about the 3 months of temporary traffic lights and delays at Pelham Place on the seafront (see above photograph from yesterday), but I have noticed more roadworks, and have been informed about a couple more, including at the roundabout at the bottom of Alexandra Park, Bexhill Road near TK Maxx, Bohemia Road, and Gillsman Hill, I'm sure there must be more too, good job it's January! Please be patient...

Roadworks for 3 months at seafront

From Monday the 6th of January 2020, there will be temporary traffic lights along the seafront at Pelham Place for the installation of a new gas main, it could be chaotic, but at least is will be out of holiday season, so fewer vehicles held up, fingers crossed. 😉

Safer to walk up the High Street now!

I had a wander yesterday, too much travelling the day before, so needed to stretch my legs, and saw that the High Street is open again, back to normal-ish, except the new pavement, of course! There are still roadworks below this, but traffic appears to be moving freely. It'll be interesting to see if fewer people walk in the road now!  

High Street continued...

As you can see, the High Street has a new pavement! Still more work to come, so roadworks to continue, hopefully they'll tidy up the pavement opposite...  

OOPS! Nearly run over in High Street, Old Town!

I had no idea! I gently meandered into the High Street from Courthouse Street, and found a car going the wrong way, downhill... but it wasn't! The High Street is cut off from the bottom, work going on, apparently, for a couple of months. So, be careful to check which way the traffic is moving when in the vicinity, be more careful than I was!