IN A development with the ongoing story of whether the Beach Tavern in Pevensey Bay is to become a community assert protected by the Localism Act of 2011, a local church has now come forward to say that they will be offering their public support to the Friends of Pevensey Bay Library in their efforts to see the public house become a new library that will serve the needs of 40,0000 people.—Bay Life, 10 December 2015
Talking to Bay Life (9 December), Edwin Pena, pastor of Pevensey Bay Baptist Church said, “we will be publicly supporting this campaign and the church will be making statement about the matter next week”.
Edwin, who met MP for Pevensey, Huw Merriman at a constituency surgery at the Bayside Diner last Friday (4 December), said that the issue of what is to become of the Beach Tavern ‘is an important issue for the community’. He said was impressed by the commitment of the MP to the public campaign, explaining “I was impressed by him and his support for the campaign by the Friends of Pevensey Bay Library”.
The Friends of Pevensey Bay Library are campaigning to see the public house nominated as a community asset.
They say, “Pevensey Bay library, which has now been closed for eleven months, is locked in a legal wrangle over who is responsible for the flood damage. However, the existing library has a steep flight of steps which makes access for older people, people with disabilities and mums with wheelchairs difficult. Relocating the library to an alternative more accessible site would benefit the community and could provide an opportunity to improve other services in the Bay”.
“The Friends Group wants to talk to the County Council to explore options for better library provision in the Bay. They feel that an alternative site in Pevensey Bay that is accessible to all residents is needed, whether they are elderly, disabled or families with children in pushchairs.
They point out that “now that Pevensey Bay Library has closed, over forty thousand people are depending on the small library at Langney Centre and the temporary book exchange set up in a local church hallway in Pevensey Bay. This contrasts sharply with provision in other areas of East Sussex such as Seaford, Polegate, and Lewes”.
The campaign centres around the issue of what is to become of the Beach Tavern public house, a property that occupies a pivotal position in the community.
The building was put up for sale by owners in November. The issue looks set to be decided next week, when the public house comes up for auction at the Metropole Hotel in Brighton on 15 December.
Bay Life understands that owners of the Beach Tavern and auctioneers of the property have been informed of the fact that the property is now the subject of a nomination as a community asset.
A caveat to the particulars of any sale are provided by Clive Emson Auctioneers. Information suggests “IMPORTANT: All lots are sold subject to the Common Auction Conditions and Special Conditions of Sale (unless varied by the Sellers Solicitors), together with the Addendum, which will be available on the Auction Day”.
Bay Life understands that a number of key stakeholder community representatives will be attending the auction. A legal question has emerged about whether the fact that the building is now the subject of an application to become a nominated community asset will be made at the time of the proposed sale.
A district councilor in the locality, Dianne Dear (also publisher of Bay Life) said “I’m concerned about who will buy especially as a big supermarket chain could take over and ruin Pevensey Bay”
It is understood that the decision about whether the Beach Tavern Public House will become a nominated community asset will be made public by Wealden District Council by 25 January 2016.
The next meeting of the Friends of Pevensey Bay Library is on Friday December 18 at the Ocean Bakery and Restaurant in Eastbourne Road, Pevensey Bay at 7:00pm. Organisers say that all members of the Friends of Pevensey Bay Library and supporters are welcome.
About Friends of Pevensey Bay Library
The Friends of Pevensey Bay Library aim to campaign for and support provision of improved public library services in Pevensey Bay.
FACEBOOK: Friends of Pevensey Bay Library
EMAIL:
