THE Ocean Hotel has been part of life at Saltdean for 60 years, so it was a shock when Butlin's announced that it will be sold.

Butlin's is concentrating instead on its holiday centres such as the one at Bognor Regis. What all Saltdean must be hoping for is that another chain quickly snaps up the Ocean and there is good reason to hope that this will happen. The Ocean is in a unique position with commanding views of the coast. It is in good condition, has plenty of parking and has a good indoor swimming pool. It is also the only large hotel in an area which has easy access to Brighton, the Downs and Newhaven port. New owners might also want to invest in the Ocean so that it enters the Millennium as one of the best hotels on the south coast. If that occurs the knock-on benefits for Saltdean in terms of employment and business at local shops and restaurants will be great.

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