Tributes for Seven Sisters pub being sold for housing in Seaford

The Seven Sisters pub, which was built in the 1930s, was listed for £900,000 and sold before Christmas for an allocated nine houses, The Argus understands.

The pub, which is in Alfriston Road in Seaford, was managed by Charlotte Copping, 32, and her family who put over £100,000 into it since 2014 to fix leaking roofs, remove asbestos and replace the heating in the building.

The family said a neighbourhood plan in 2016, plus the pandemic effectively "doomed" the pub, discouraging customers from booking in advance in the fear that the family “would do a runner” with their money.

• READ MORE: Landlady 'tried everything' to save 90-year-old pub from being sold for housing

The lease for the pub ran out in 2022 which has now led to the pub being sold for development.

Christine Brett, Liberal Democrat councillor for Seaford South, said it’s sad to see the pub go but added that affordable housing is much needed in the country.

Cllr. Brett said: “It’s very sad to see, especially at a time like this where landlords trying so hard during the pandemic.

The pub last Thursday (January 6), a day before the keys were handed over

“I also understand from many older people in the town that they have very happy memories there. Many people have had functions there.

“Going forward the town does need affordable homes for the next generation so I hope that is what the developer is planning. This site was in the neighbourhood plan so it’s probably been on the cards for a while but obviously it is so sad for a landlady that has worked so hard.”

The pub was built in the 1930s because it was on the route of the proposed Seaford northern bypass, which they thought would be popular with motorists driving past. The road was never built but the pub still found plenty of success over the coming years.

The pub in the 1930s

Natasha Atkins, a former manager of the Seven Sisters, said she has "amazing memories" of the pub.

She said: “Charlotte did an amazing job of trying to bring the community up there together an make it a lovely pub again, sadly it just wasn’t in a fit state structurally anymore (having lived above myself - can personally vouch for this!) but the regulars and all other customers that came into that pub - as well as the staff really made good and last for the time it did."

Some people questioned why the pub cannot be turned into a hotel and hope it will not become an "eye sore".

Charlotte Copping was the last landlady of the pub

Jerry Levine said: “For the past year I was not too sure if it was open. If the building was renovated it would make an ideal Premier Inn or independent run hotel, too many B&Bs and local hotels have shut in the past couple of years leaving a lack of places to stay.

“Crying shame it will get swallowed up and history destroyed into the development plan, so the someone somewhere can tick some boxes and a developer can line their pockets with another eye sore.”

Other people said they remembered being part of football team, darts team and pool team in the pub during the 1970s.

It is unclear when work will start on the site.

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