Bexhill Town Profile - Rother District Council

6.9 Other issues that have been raised relate to the lack of parking, scope for
public realm improvements, lack of prime retailers, poor linkage to the
cultural attractions, lack of events and severance by the railway.
Policy Coverage
6.10 In response to the general drive for improvements, the Council has already
recognised the need for coordinated action to support the Town Centre
through the recent establishment of a ‘Bexhill Town Centre Steering Group’.
6.11 In view of the above, it is proposed that a specific strategy for the town
centre be incorporated in the Core Strategy. This should be holistic, but also
specifically address issues relating to its commercial strength and to its
accessibility.
Role of the Town Centre
6.12 Although Bexhill town centre provides the largest quantum of retail
floorspace in the district, and features the widest range of national multiples,
it essentially functions as a service centre for the town itself, its wider
catchment being limited by the proximity of Hastings and Eastbourne.
6.13 Therefore, the focus of the strategy for the town centre will be to ensure that
it better serves the town’s community, and generates increases in both the
level of trade and footfall as far as possible.
6.14 This involves its use for both shopping, services and leisure, recognising
that local residents like to link their trips to Bexhill town centre with food
shopping, banking or post office requirements, browsing, sports and leisure
and community facilities, or visits to local cafes and restaurants.
6.15 At the same time, trade can be generated from businesses in and around
the town centre and from visitors to the town. In these respects, it both
benefits from being the District’s administrative centre and having an
established presence of, albeit mostly small, offices, as well as from its
seaside location and adjacent De La Warr Pavilion.
6.16 Unlike many town centres, Bexhill maintains a strong local identity and
individuality, which largely stems from the combination of its high proportion
of local, independent retailers and Edwardian street pattern and traditional
shop fronts and street furniture. Ensuring that it retains this character and
remains a clean, well-maintained and a safe place to shop is vital if new
commercial development opportunities are to be successfully integrated.
Commercial Opportunities
6.17 As noted above, national multiple store representation within the town
centre is low for a centre of Bexhill’s size. Hence, the range and depth of the
comparative shopping offer is currently lacking. Also, the main convenience
goods shopping provision, Sainsbury’s at Buckhurst Place, is somewhat
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