The town is rightly proud of its prom, having avoided the seafront tat and grotty shops which have sprung up along the seafronts of neighbouring resorts. Now change is afoot.

The tank, which has polarised opinion as some residents weren't too thrilled to have a weapon pointing at them first thing in the morning when they drew their curtains, is being moved and there are grand plans to revamp the prominent Wish Tower site.

Although, no doubt, there are many devoted customers who regularly visit the Wish Tower Restaurant and will be very sorry to see it given a makeover, this is an opportunity to really make the most of the site, one of the few places for visitors and residents to enjoy a drink with uninterrupted sea views.

No doubt the council will receive some strong views on the subject, both positive and negative, but - if done properly - an iconic building on the prom, which complements the rest of the buildings, could be a real attraction.

Along with the launch of the modern Towner building this month, perhaps visitors to Eastbourne really can start to 'change their view'?

The council's advertising campaign, put up in train and tube stations in London and asking prospective holidaysmakers to Change Your View about Eastbourne, may really start to bear fruit if the town has some smart new buildings to brag about.

Eastbourne, especially in the light of the shelving of the town centre redevelopment plan, certainly needs all the help it can get in these gloomy financial times.