Petition Launched for Town Centre Development

Businesses in Bolton Road have launched a petition calling on East Sussex County Council to revise their plans for the next phase of the town centre development.
 
Andy Spirou, owner of Urban Ground, which this year celebrates it’s tenth birthday, said, “We welcome the efforts of East Sussex County Council to improve this road as part of the latest town centre redevelopment.
 
“One of the purposes of the new town centre developments is to encourage a café culture in our town. As one of the established cafes, it therefore seems strange that at present, the plans include a loading bay outside our café and will permit vehicles to use the outside of the premises to turn around.”
 
Luke Johnson, BID Operations Manager, said, “We have been discussing the plans with East Sussex County Council since they were first announced and have said all along that the new pedestrianisation must be in place before well-known businesses such as Urban Ground, De ja Vu and Anema E Core. These types of businesses give us the best opportunity for the café culture that will be so important as we emerge from COVID 19.”
 
Andy Spirou concluded, “We want to work positively with East Sussex County Council as they finalise plans. However, we do feel that without revisions, this is a missed opportunity. We also know the strength of feeling within the area. So, please do sign our petition either online or by popping into Urban Ground on Bolton Road and South Street or De Ja Vu.”