Eastbourne Borough Council has submitted a £26.5 million funding bid to the government that if successful, would support the renovation of the Bandstand and Redoubt Fortress.
The bid is part of the government’s levelling-up programme and crucially for Eastbourne, the latest round of funding is focused on cultural and heritage projects.
Councillor David Tutt, Leader of Eastbourne Borough Council, said:
“We have submitted an excellent bid that I hope the government will support in full.
“Eastbourne is fortunate in having many more heritage buildings than most councils, but by their very nature they come with a large maintenance bill.
“These buildings are appreciated by residents and visitors alike and should be preserved for future generations , but it is unrealistic to expect the full cost of their upkeep to be borne solely by local council taxpayers.”
The council is currently spending £750,000 on phase one repairs that will see the Bandstand reopened next year.
Councillor Helen Burton, Cabinet Member for Heritage Assets, said:
“We used to receive a £10 million annual grant to pay for public services in Eastbourne, but the government stopped that funding. Despite this we are still spending £750,000 on Bandstand repairs and I hope the government will recognise this major commitment when it makes a decision on our bid.”
