FOI request (FOIR-770495179)

Funding Hastings BID/Love Hastings

Requested Tue 02 December 2025
Responded Fri 12 December 2025

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Response

1. The funding for the artificial Christmas Tree came from the Levelling Up Partnership Fund announced by the previous government in March 2024. See link: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/40-million-levelling-up-boost-for-east-sussex#:~:text=The%20two%20%C2%A320%20million,over%2050%20much%2Dneeded%20homes.

Please note it was part of the programme for high street improvements in Hastings, Bexhill, Rye and Battle.

2. This was awarded by the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) previously known as Department of Levelling Up, Housing and Communities. Hastings Borough Council (HBC) provided the administration function of the funding.

3. No funding has been awarded by the Hastings Town Deal Board to Love Hastings/BID from the Town Fund Programme (now known as the Local Regeneration Fund) ,

4. As with all third party delivered projects, the design authority sat with the grant recipient (Hastings BID). HBC grant admin team obtained information such that related to deliverability, health and safety and any planning requirements.

5. For the year 2025/26 - the St Leonards Town Team have been offered a grant of £1,800 towards for Xmas lights decorations in London Road and Kings Road areas, and Hastings Old Town Traders have been offered £1,000 for Butlers Gap.

Love Hastings also received £8,000 (Ex. VAT) towards decorations in Hastings town centre. No funding provided to Priory Meadow for their lighting scheme

6. Hastings Borough Council have not received any formal complaints regarding the installation of the metal tree.

Board Memberships

1. Love Hastings (Hastings Improvement District) Please see link - below - https://lovehastings.com/the-team/

We are aware the list of Board of Directors is not up to date and have asked the BID manager to do update.

2. Hastings Area Business Crime Reduction Partnership 

This is an independent body and not the responsibility of the council. Your request for information should be directed to the Partnership.

The Organisation details are as follows along with their web link: Registered at Companies House, Number 11939310 Registered office: Rock House, Cambridge Road, Hastings, TN34 1DT Link: https://www.bcrphastings.com/

3. Hastings Neighbourhood Board

Please see link for membership details of the Neighbour Board : https://www.hastings.gov.uk/regeneration/plan-for-neighbourhoods/hastings-Neighbourhood-board-membership/