Controversy over beach huts’ future

Two are already in place east of the pier and another three had been planned along the promenade.

At a meeting of the Eastbourne hotels’ association recently, members were told by council officials that the future of the remaining three “is uncertain due to vandalism and upkeep”.

But a council spokesperson said on Wednesday, “We hope to have another beach hut in place this year and the remaining two completed in 2020.

“The beach terrain presents significant challenges for the groundworks required for each hut location. Individual design solutions are being developed that should allow all five of these incredible installations to take their place on Eastbourne seafront.”

Both the new beach huts opposite Marine Road have been vandalised in recent weeks.