Funding has been rejected for a historic bandstand as part of the latest levelling up fund cash handouts.
Eastbourne Borough Council was hoping for £26.5 million in its bid to restore the 130-year-old bandstand and the redoubt fortress on Eastbourne seafront.
The government’s levelling up department has decided to reject the bid for the Grade II* listed structure today.
It means just £750,000 will be allocated to repairs and maintenance of the bandstand ahead of it reopening in April this year.
Leader of the council David Tutt said: “This is deeply disappointing for all those who love the bandstand and redoubt fortress and were hopeful that this funding bid would give us the many millions needed to deliver a full restoration.
“I can’t help feeling the government has pulled a cheap trick on us by announcing a fund for historic landmarks such as the bandstand and redoubt, but then dismisses our bid.
“The email from government letting us know this decision basically said that as we were successful with our bid under levelling up one, we have no allocations left to bid under levelling up fund two (LUF2).
"This was not communicated to us when we were invited to submit our LUF2 bid.
“I will contact our MP Caroline Ansell, and ask her to lobby the Secretary of State to reconsider supporting the bandstand and redoubt.
“The bandstand and the redoubt fortress are part of Eastbourne’s DNA and synonymous with the heritage and history of our great town.
“I appeal to the MP and Secretary of State to demonstrate that these much-loved and nationally significant assets are also important to the government.”
Campaigners have previously called on the council to prioritise the bandstand above any other projects.
Lead petitioner Gaynor Sedgewick, chairman of the Save Eastbourne Bandstand Group, said in a council meeting last year: “We all seem to agree that the Bandstand is important to the people and businesses of Eastbourne and the closure of it will have a detrimental impact on the tourist economy and the enjoyment of residents.”
A government spokesman said: “The levelling up fund is investing in infrastructure that improves everyday life across the UK, spreading opportunity to historically overlooked areas.
“All projects were subject to a rigorous assessment process under robust, fair and transparent rules, with no involvement of local MPs in the selection process.”
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