Town to Sea Creative Quarter

Town to Sea Creative Quarter

Arts, Culture & Heritage  

 
 

Project Description 

This project focuses on the popular White Rock area in Hastings town centre, where in recent years the area has grown as a creative quarter, and The Towns Fund investment will ensure the ongoing community-led regeneration approach is continued and its ambition is achieved with the further refurbishment of three large and vacant buildings, bringing them back into use. It will increase community engagement within the town through arts, culture, wellbeing and digital services for everyone, especially the next generation.  

Project Justification 

These interlinked building projects will rescue three buildings and deliver:  

A Creative Digital Hub supporting emerging enterprises and learners of all ages with digital facilities, highspeed IT infrastructure, dedicated VR studio and large multi-use hall space. 

A Wellbeing Centre with a Public Living Room, 12 homes for people leaving supported accommodation; and new commercial uses that lead into a new piece of town centre public realm; a Gallery and Event space, creative artist studios and a community hub. Working with Project Art Works, the space will become ultra-accessible for disabled people, bringing those with support needs into the centre of our community.

 

Outputs & Outcomes

  • Redevelopment of 1,423m² of building

  • 16 new housing units created

  • Creation of a gallery 110m² (one enterprise) and nine incubation studios; 300m² digital / film innovation facilities and two new public spaces

  • 20 new jobs.

 

Project Timeline

  • Business Case completion: Autumn 2021 

  • Design & planning applications (as required): Autumn 2021 

  • Planning approvals: Winter 2021 / Spring 2022 

  • Contractor appointment: Spring / Summer 2022 

  • Start on site: Summer 2022 / Autumn 2022 

  • Completion: Spring 2023 / Summer 2023 

Below are published public documents relating to the project. Other documents will be published as they become available:

Hastings Commons Town-to-sea business case

Project Delivery  

The project will be delivered through a partnership between Hastings Commons (formally White Rock Neighbourhood Ventures (WRNV) and Hastings Commons Community Land Trust and the charity, Leisure & Learning. Hastings Commons has successfully led social and physical regeneration projects and are the developer delivering the restoration of the Observer Building in Hastings. 

Costs & Funding

Total Funding £8,937,203
Town Fund £3,997,203
Other Funding £4,940,000