The Beach Tavern Public House in Pevensey Bay, the subject of a nomination as an asset of community value in November 2015, we understand, is to come back to auction on July 27.—Bay Life, 19 June 2016
Whilst there are no public details at the current time online, nonetheless we have no reason to doubt that the public house will soon appear and again be advertised for sale.
The public house has been the subject of much discussion locally, twice advertised for auction and twice removed from auction.
The public house was first advertised for auction on 15 December 2015, to be pulled from sale a few days prior to the proposed sale.
At the time (30 November 2015) an applications was lodged by ‘The Friends of Pevensey Bay Library’ to nominate the property as an asset of community value.
On 22 January 2016 Wealden Council made a decision about the application. The Friends of Pevensey Bay Library was told that their bid to nominate the building as an asset of community value had failed.
On a second occasion the Beach Tavern was again proposed for sale by auction (March 2016) and an auctioneers board advertised the proposed sale.
Since this time various stories about the proposed sale have emanated, including the suggestion that the owner of the Eastbourne Pier had visited the property with interest. We have been unable to confirm this story.
A board for sale with Clive Emson auctioneers continued to suggest that a sale by auction was being proposed.
The sale board was eventually removed.
Bay Life understands that some kind of legal dispute with regard to the property emerged although it is not clear from where this issue emerged or the basis of any legal challenge.
It would appear that the property is now to return to auction.
We wait to see what will happen next in what is becoming something of a long running saga.
At root, the concerns of the community are about the character and location of the building, very much an integral business here in relation to the profile of the Bay, and a focal point for the Bay.
Local people remember as far back as the 1953 Coronation when there was a television positioned in the property for residents to see the ceremony live, this would appear to have been one of the few public places locally to have offered such a facility at the time.
The property has been the Honey Pot Tea Rooms and a successful public house and live music venue.
The prospect of a development on the site that is against the interests of the community is something that is likely to be opposed.
The particulars posted about the property previously suggested a number of possible uses, including development, mention is also made of the suitability for a supermarket chain.
BEACH TAVERN PARTICULARS—CLIVE EMSON SOLICITORS
A fabulous opportunity to acquire this detached public house situated in a prominent position in Pevensey Bay.
The pub has been in the same ownership for many years and offers off-road parking, a good size bar area with dance floor and two bedroom manager’s flat with sea views from the terrace.
Conveniently located close to local shops and amenities and with good road links to the A259/A27 the Beach Tavern has been previously let to provide a good income.
Now in need of some refurbishment and re-decoration the Beach Tavern is considered ideal for owner occupation or could again be let to provide a good income. Alternatively it is considered the site could be re-developed to provide residential accommodation or may be suitable for a supermarket chain or similar commercial space, subject to all necessary consents being obtainable.
We wait to see if these particulars will this third time around, see any amendment.
District Councillor, Dianne Dear, also publisher of Bay life, (13 December 2015) said ““I’m concerned about who will buy especially as a big supermarket chain could take over and ruin Pevensey Bay”
There are radical changes in every rural community, as well as threats to the sustainability of villages not just in Sussex but everywhere in the land.
As well as the Age of Austerity we also live in the Age of the Localism Act 2011, which, it could be argued, is the most radical piece of local legislation since the Local Government Act of 1894 which set in stone the development of elected councils at district and parish level.
It could be argued that nothing could be done if a developer was to buy the property with the proposal, for example, that the property is turned into flats.
This, in our view would not be the case. Our view is that there would be significant obstacles, discussions and campaigning against such a development.
If we were to lose the economic activity of yet another building in the Bay, it would be another blow to the hard pressed efforts of everyone concerned with regard to all the steps towards regeneration that are taking place.
Many of these steps involve supporting local businesses and trying to see, for example, that the shopping parade is made more attractive from the perspective of both residents and visitors.
When people come to the Bay as a visitor attraction or a day out to sample the delights that we have to offer, both here and in Pevensey, they do not come to see flats.
Is there still a possibility of a supermarket chain buying the property? This seems less likely now since all the supermarket chains are in a process of retrenchment, but it is still possible.
If the shops, public houses and community assets of Pevensey and Pevensey Bay are turned into flats, then there is no community left.
Businesses will not locate here, people will move and the sensitive fabric of the place which is held so precious to everyone that lives here faces yet more threats to the sustainability of the community.
Local people will not let this happen.
We lost the Bank and we nearly lost the post office.
But look closely and you will see that our library library will re-open on Tuesday August 30.
If any development is planned for the Beach Tavern that is seen as being against the interests of Pevensey Bay, with regard to the social and economic well being of the community, there will be opposition.
We wait to see what particulars will be proposed this time by auctioneers.
Bay Life will follow the progress of this third proposed auction with interest.
Simon Montgomery
editor, Bay Life
