Eastbourne is back to business as usual as the seafront re-opened at lunchtime on Thursday 31st July following Wednesday’s fire on the pier.
With all but 200m of beaches, promenades and the road now fully re-open, visitors and residents are back on Eastbourne beach enjoying the sunshine today, with Bandstand concerts, special events and plans for this year’s airshow continuing in full swing.
The Leader of Eastbourne Borough Council, Cllr David Tutt commented “We are grateful to the emergency services for their superb response in tackling the fire yesterday and today in the clean-up operation, enabling us to reopen the seafront so quickly.
Despite such a difficult time, I am pleased to say most businesses along the seafront are now re-open and that visitors haven’t been deterred at all today.”
All events along the seafront are continuing as normal with daily Bandstand concerts, including the Swingshift Big Band and last year’s most popular Bandstand concert – the One Direction tribute show, which all went ahead.
This weekend, visitors can also look forward to guided seafront walking tours, a Vintage Bus Running Day, Take That Tribute Show and the opening of a fun children’s military training ground at the seafront Redoubt Fortress, with assault course, monkey bars and bayonet training.
However the resort’s biggest highlight, Airbourne: Eastbourne International Airshow, kicks off in just two weeks from 14 – 17 August and organisers are continuing with all plans, which utilise much of the length of the seafront.
The free, four day airshow is set to welcome the Red Arrows every day, celebrating their 50 year anniversary, the Eurofighter Typhoon, Chinook, Canberra cold war jet and the UK’s first Lancaster bomber formation in 50 years. The historic display which pays tribute to those who fought in Bomber Command, will feature the last two airworthy Lancaster aircraft in the world, one of which begins its long transatlantic journey from Canada this Monday.
Cllr David Tutt added “The attractions and flying displays at Airbourne are completely unaffected by yesterday’s events and we are continuing with full plans for our live music stage on the beach and our end of show fireworks party, which celebrates 50 years of the Red Arrows.
Viewing areas along the beaches and promenades will be open as usual, so we don’t anticipate space will be compromised.”
Approx 200m of promenade and beaches around the pier will remain closed for several days while essential safety works take place, however it is anticipated these will re-open soon.
Beaches within the lifeguarded safe bathing area west of the Bandstand are also safe to swim.
As a temporary precaution for a few days, swimmers are being advised not to swim to the East of the Bandstand, in case of debris.
For more information visit www.VisitEastbourne.com or follow us on www.Facebook.com/VisitEastbourne and Twitter @VisitEastbourne for updates throughout the day.
