Marina Pavilion Bidders Seek Further Works
The future of the Marina Pavilion (formerly the Azur) on St Leonards seafront remains clouded as potential bidders seek further works by regeneration company Sea Change Sussex, who have a 35-year head lease of the property. Sea Change in turn continue to hold Hastings Borough Council, who are the freeholders, accountable for underlying structural and services defects.
The Pavilion has been empty and unused since the lease of the former tenants, Azur Events Limited, was terminated in January 2024.
Serious problems with both drainage and electrical services to the property were said to have been resolved, with a new power supply eventually installed and connected by UK Power Networks at the beginning of this year. Since then, Sea Change have undertaken a range of what they called “essential repairs”, including electrical safety works, external cleaning, graffiti removal and other minor works needed to put the property back on the market.
Engaging both specialist national agents Fleurets and Hastings-based agency Dyer and Hobbis, Sea Change have gone on to advertise the property, seeking bidders either for a fresh ten-year sub-lease or alternatively a transfer of the head lease for the remainder of its term.
In July the company’s Development Director Andrew Frost said that “With the power and drainage problems finally behind us … there’s a great deal of interest in the facility from operators as well as members of the community who’ve enjoyed using it in recent years.”
By August, Sea Change were reporting that several potential bidders had emerged and were carrying out repeat viewings with their advisors. The company set a response deadline of 23 September for interested parties to submit their proposals, and its spokesperson confirmed last week that “several well-considered submissions” have been received.
However, all proposals are reported to be “conditional on works being carried out to the property, and on consent both to the letting and to potentially required works from Hastings Borough Council”.
The extent of works varies between different bidders, and Sea Change will be reviewing the proposals with their own building surveyors. However, their spokesperson admitted that this is occasioning further delays. “Unfortunately, despite previous discussions, Hastings Borough Council has served notice upon us demanding the property be refurbished within six months in a manner that includes the completion of works not due until the lease ends.”
Ongoing issues of vandalism, further electrical problems and flooding from overflowing drains connected to the adjoining public toilets are also reported.
Sea Change say they are now seeking discussion with the council “to attempt to get back to a more reasonable, measured approach to works … We hope we can agree a way forward that will accelerate the reopening of the premises.”
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