The current debate on the design of a new visitor centre on the Stade comes after a lengthy review of tourism and the make up of the Old Town.
Hastings & St Leonards has always catered for the traditional two week family holiday by the sea, but tourism trends have changed and with cheap deals to the sun, a new type of visitor has emerged.
Think culture, heritage and a long weekend and you've got the components of the classic short break that this new breed demand. And that's exactly what Hastings & St Leonards, with adjustment can offer. The Council developed a Tourism and Visitor Strategy during 1998/99 in consultation with local businesses in the town - particularly those with an interest in the visitor market.
The strategy recognises the national decline in our traditional two week seaside holiday and puts forward the case for a new type of visitor. Short breaks based around heritage, culture and architecture have been other European cities strengths over the past 5 years and is the fastest growing sector in the British tourism market.
So why should Hastings & St Leonards be any different? We've got stunning architecture, a history and heritage second to none and a diverse culture to be proud of - all in all everything that a short break visitor requires.
The Stade and the Old Town are the heart of our architectural heritage. During 1998 and 1999, Greenwich University Business school carried out a comprehensive study of the Stade. In their final report they set out the case for a new visitor centre to lead people to other sights and businesses in the area. They were also the first to raise the idea of including a high-class restauant in it. The study also suggested moving the long-stay coach park although retaining drop off and pickup facilities. Greenwich business school recommended that the Stade Partnership should be developed and that a Stade manager should be appointed as part of a scheme to integrate the area and have an overall marketing plan. These recommendations were adopted by the Council.
The Tourism Company was then brought in to build on the work of Greenwich. Its final report was presented in October 2000 following meetings with organisations, businesses and individuals in the Old Town and concluded that this area of Hastings was simply not well enough known outside the town. In fact 90% of day visitors are repeat visitors.
According to the Tourism Company a new visitor centre in the Old Town would see around 300,000 visitors annually - a lot more than currently! The Council agreed with their report and allocated £2.5m for the construction of a new Visitor Centre with additional money for the development of a new coach park.
The Tourism Company's objectives included making a gateway which would lead visitors to the Stade and also recommended that
"a striking more dominant modern building would make more of an impact and act as a draw in its own right."
This year the architects (who are leaders in their field) were chosen with a brief recognising the importance of the site, that it must be both modern, a landmark and sit comfortably in its surroundings, too! A difficult task.
The landmark building at the Stade has been a hot topic of conversation. Revised designs, incorporating the comments and opinions from everyone interested are now being drawn up.
It is clear that from the studies carried out four years ago, and the progression to this point, that much can be done to increase the appeal of the town to this new kind of visitor. You only have to look at our European counterparts to find that building on our substantial heritage and culture is the key to making the town's tourism appeal increase and be sustainable.
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This page last updated: 17/10/2002