The council has been working with the absentee landlord of Victoria Mansions.

Four of the nine properties are now under negotiation and the owner has already undertaken improvements to others.

With around 100 empty shops in the town centre and the surrounding roads, Eastbourne Borough Council said it was doing all it could both independently and with partners to enable businesses in the town to be as successful as possible.

The council's economic development team is working to create links between the busiest part of the town centre and the secondary shopping areas.

Councillor Steve Wallis, Eastbourne Borough Council cabinet spokesperson for the economy said, "The borough council is currently very active in trying to regenerate parts of the town centre.

"Unfortunately we see a number of properties left empty in Eastbourne by landlords who own large property portfolios and who do not take sufficient interest in their occupation.

"The economic development team proactively encourages landlords and their agents to improve their properties and promote empty premises to new businesses.

"This is an ongoing commitment, which will work alongside the development of the town centre to promote Eastbourne as an attractive place to invest in."

The team provides and delivers a range of support which includes jointly funding with the town centre businesses the Town Centre Management Initiative, which employs the town centre manager.

A Difficult Property Group has also been set up which is an inter department task force taking direct action to transform properties that are causing concern for residents and the council.

A recent success includes the former Wonderful Wilson shop in Seaside Road.

The team also manages enquiries — in 2007 the council received 140 enquiries from businesses interested in locating in Eastbourne.

Businesses in Eastbourne can access information and contact the economic development team through the council's website at www.eastbourne.gov.uk/business or by calling 01323 415054.