People, Place and Potential! Rebuilding Prosperity via the Eastbourne Neighbourhood Board

Eastbourne is a town with undeniable natural advantages - its sweeping bay, coastal views and mild climate create an enviable setting. And yet, despite these strengths, there is growing consensus, confirmed by research, that the town’s reputation as a leading holiday destination and vibrant community has lost its former shine.

Like many UK coastal towns, Eastbourne is being shaped by broader social, economic and technological forces outside of its control. Today, it faces a pivotal moment: one that demands a bold, strategic reimagining of the town centre and seafront - not just to survive these shifts, but to thrive in spite of them. And that is one of the challenges being addressed by the new Eastbourne Neighbourhood Board - of which I am proud to be a member.

The Opportunity: A Town Centre with Purpose

The heart of Eastbourne - the town centre - needs more than a refresh. It needs reimaging to reflect the needs of residents and entice new visitors. As online shopping reduces the need for physical retail stores, our town centre needs to evolve into a multi-purpose hub accessible to all. A clean and safe place where people of all ages meet to socialise, enjoy year-round entertainment and hospitality, access healthcare, learning and daily services, as well as enjoy some retail therapy! A place which offers affordable homes for people and businesses too.

A Vision Anchored in Core Principles

For Eastbourne to secure a sustainable future, I think any forward-looking strategy must focus on the following pillars:

• A Safe, Welcoming Environment
  The town must feel clean, accessible and secure for everyone - residents, businesses, workers and tourists - during the day and at night.

• Community Pride and Enjoyment
  Public spaces should inspire a sense of ownership, offering places for relaxation, cultural interaction and civic pride, linking the town centre with its coastal setting. We have some fantastic festivals and events to build on.

• Environmental Resilience
  Planning must consider flood risks, climate change impacts and sustainable design principles at every stage.  Greening the ‘grey’ would be welcomed too, providing shelter from heat, sun and rain as the climate evolves!

• Sustainable Mobility
  Prioritising walking, cycling and public transport is crucial. Designing spaces that reduce reliance on private vehicles could transform how people experience the town.

• An economic Engine for East Sussex
  The town centre should act as a commercial and cultural hub, not just for Eastbourne itself, but for the wider East Sussex region. The town is a fabulous location for lifestyle indie businesses, so let’s attract and grow more entrepreneurs by providing the right co-working spaces / innovation hubs, along with digital/AI learning centres for people of all ages and experiences.

• A Diverse Residential Base
  Creating a balanced, vibrant community means ensuring that housing and infrastructure meet a variety of needs and income levels. Let’s repurpose those former retail stores into modern, affordable homes and vibrant employment spaces.

• Respect for Heritage
  Eastbourne’s historic identity should not be lost in development - but integrated thoughtfully into the future landscape. A ‘nod to the past’ will help realise an authentic future - one that local people identify and agree with.

• Compelling Leisure and Sporting Offerings
  Tourism, retail, and leisure services must evolve to meet modern tastes, ensuring Eastbourne competes with other UK tourism destinations and importantly, provides affordable wellness opportunities for residents of all ages, particularly teens and young people. The town has a great sporting and entertainment heritage - let’s build on that!

• A Renewed Seafront Experience
  Importantly, there is huge untapped potential along the seafront to introduce new, family-friendly attractions that align with the town’s natural charm and natural environment. And let’s link the seafront to our natural green spaces and parks via green corridors to benefit humans and the natural world.

Community at the Centre

A revitalised Eastbourne cannot be achieved by top-down planning alone. Through the Eastbourne Neighbourhood Board, local communities will have real opportunities to influence development and shape the spaces they inhabit. Community engagement will not be a tick-box exercise - it’s the foundation of a plan that truly works for everyone.  Importantly, a way must be found to engage our younger people in the process to ensure they have their say.

At the same time, the local authority (in whatever form it takes) must be supported in its ability to address identified needs with clarity and coordination. The new central government funding provides a vital opportunity - not just to invest in infrastructure, but to foster a sense of shared ambition and local pride.

Looking Ahead

Eastbourne has all the raw ingredients needed for a resurgence. But vision and values must now be defined translated into decisive action. With strategic investment, sustainable planning and inclusive dialogue, we can re-establish Eastbourne as the commercial centre of East Sussex and its premier coastal leisure destination, not to mention a flourishing place to live and work. The time for cautious incrementalism and negativity has passed. This is Eastbourne’s moment to shape a new chapter—one defined by purpose, pride and long-term prosperity for all.