£1 million boost for Hastings’ playgrounds

Funded by the UK Government, the Pride in Place Impact Fund will revitalise playgrounds across the town, including creating a destination play area in Alexandra Park and a wider programme to improve playgrounds in neighbourhoods across Hastings.

The £1 million capital investment will support more inclusive and engaging playgrounds for children and families while improving safety, accessibility, landscaping and seating.

Proposals include transforming the existing playground in Alexandra Park into an imaginative, multi age, accessible playground inspired by themes rooted in the local environment and Hastings’ heritage. The design will integrate with the wider park and encourage exploration across Alexandra Park with the aim to draw-in residents and visitors from across the town.

Alongside the flagship Alexandra Park investment, the funding will also deliver improvements to playgrounds in neighbourhoods across Hastings to ensure communities throughout the town have access to modern and inclusive facilities.

This investment in playgrounds responds directly to community priorities captured during the Hastings Pride in Place consultation last summer, where residents of all ages highlighted parks, playgrounds, active spaces and family facilities as high priority investment themes. 

Helena Dollimore, MP for Hastings, Rye and villages said: “It’s fantastic news that playgrounds in Hastings will receive a £1 million upgrade thanks to this investment that I have secured from the Labour Government. So many local children and parents have told me how much they want to see playgrounds in our town improve. When I investigated our local playgrounds, I found that far too many had fallen into disrepair or closed altogether. I have been highlighting this in Parliament, in the national press, and in discussions with ministers and local councils, because children in Hastings deserve better.

"This funding from the Labour Government’s Pride in Place programme is all about making Hastings a better place to live. Local people know our area better than anyone else, and that is why the Labour Government rightly said local people should decide how to spend this £21.5 million. It is up to our community to decide how we spend it, so please keep sending in your ideas and I will keep pushing for as many residents as possible to have their say.”

Cllr Glenn Haffenden, Leader of Hastings Borough Council said: “Investing in high-quality play spaces is vital for the health, happiness and development of our children. These projects will give families more places to come together, play and enjoy our wonderful town’s green spaces.

"Having worked collaboratively with our MP over the past six months to shape plans for investing in Hastings’ playgrounds, I welcome this additional funding. This is about supporting communities, boosting wellbeing, and delivering the changes residents told us they want to see.”

Cllr Jo Walker, lead councillor for environment and neighbourhood wellbeing, said: “Play matters. These projects reflect our ambition for every child in Hastings to have access to exciting, imaginative, and accessible places to play. From local play spaces to the new destination play area in Alexandra Park, we are committed to raising the standard of play provision across the town.”

Throughout the design and implementation process, the local MP and Hastings Borough Council will work closely with local communities to shape the improvements, helping to create spaces that reflect local priorities and support increased physical activity and social interaction for people of all ages.

Design and community engagement will begin in spring 2026, followed by procurement and installation of new equipment and improvements. The main programme of works is scheduled for completion in spring 2027 ensuring facilities are ready for use ahead of the peak outdoor season. 

Regular updates will be shared via the Council’s website and social media channels.

Notes for editors:
Hastings was selected in September 2025 by the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) to receive £1.5m of capital funding as part of the Pride in Place Impact Fund which aims to rebuild community pride in their local area through building strong, resilient, prosperous, and inclusive communities.

Further details on the Pride in Place Impact fund can be found here: Pride in Place Impact Fund: prospectus - GOV.UK

The Pride in Place Impact Fund is separate, and in addition to, the wider Pride in Place programme which will see funding of £20 million for Hastings over the next ten years. Hastings Neighbourhood Board formally submitted its regeneration plan to government for approval on 28 November 2025. Following approval of the plan by government (expected early 2026) Hastings Neighbourhood Board will decide how to implement the plan including the application process for funding requests and the expected timeline for this.