The West Hill Lift

Update January 2026 

Grants Application Support Workshop 

The Grants Application Support Workshop for Hastings took place on Tuesday 13 January 2026, at Muriel Matters House.

We would like to extend our thanks to all attendees for their participation and engagement, and to Marks Barfield Architects (MBA) for delivering such an informative and practical session.

The workshop provided valuable guidance on what funders look for in strong applications, how to structure and present compelling bids, and offered space for discussion on shaping future funding opportunities.

Thank you again to everyone who joined us and contributed to a productive and insightful event. 

Project Summary Update

The project is progressing well and is now approaching completion of the feasibility stage. A range of technical and engagement work has been undertaken to better understand the site and inform future design options. This includes the completion of the following areas of work:

Feasibility studies on the physical and building condition
Heritage statement
Lift design and land stability assessments
Public engagement findings
Access review report
Active travel report

Update December 2025

The application is now closed and the workshop has taken place. 

Grants Application Support Workshop for Hastings

Tuesday 13 January 2026, 16.30–18.30 (Arrival from 16.15 at the Contact Centre entrance)
Council Chamber, Muriel Matters House, Breeds Place, Hastings, TN34 3UY

Join us for a FREE Grant Application Workshop, delivered by Marks Barfield, the architects currently working on the West Hill Lift project, funded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund. 

This session will help you:
• Understand what funders look for in a strong application – the dos and don’ts
• Learn how to structure, write and present compelling grant applications
• Feedback on shaping future funding opportunities.

FAQs 
Do I need to bring anything?
A notebook may be helpful, but all key information will be provided.
Who can attend?
Local organisations, community groups, and individuals interested in applying for funding.

Registration has now closed. 

Update November 2025

The project team attended a public engagement event hosted by Troika Projects (The West Hill Project delivery team), on Saturday, 18 October at the Observer Building in Hastings.

Marks Barfield Architects (MBA) used the opportunity to inform the public about this feasibility project which aims to preserve and enhance this heritage site and invited suggestions that will feed into the feasibility assessment and emerging concept design.

This was a great opportunity for the local community to learn more and contribute to the future of the West Hill Lift. Plans include restoring the lift while respecting its history and improving accessibility to the 1891 Victorian Grade II listed funicular ride.

More details, including visuals can be viewed on the Town Deal blog post. 

More details on MBA and the engagement event can be viewed on their LinkedIn post. 

MBA also hosted a youth engagement event on 10 October with students on the art foundation course at East Sussex College Hastings Campus. This included a workshop session, site visit and creating their improvements of public realm and site into collages and artworks. 

Update October 2025

The National Lottery Heritage Fund awarded Hastings Borough Council £188,000 earlier this year, to support the initial feasibility studies and an assessment of the condition and long-term maintenance requirements of the West Hill Lift including the pedestrian route from George Street to the West Hill Lift, known locally as the “100 Steps”.

Following a competitive procurement process, a supplier has now been appointed to undertake feasibility studies of the West Hill Lift.

Marks Barfield Architects have been appointed to lead a team of heritage, lift and cost specialists, to undertake a comprehensive feasibility study of the West Hill Lift, including an assessment of the condition, accessibility and long-term maintenance requirements. As part of the project, the team will also evaluate the condition of the pedestrian route known locally as the “100 Steps,” which connects George Street to the West Hill.

The Team:

• Marks Barfield – specialists including lead architects and designers
• Castria – heritage architects, engineers, and specialist conservation consultants
• LECS – specialist lift and mechanical systems engineers
• Gardiner & Theobald (G&T) – cost consultants

Key milestones:

• Completed: September 2025: Initial site investigations and condition surveys of the stations, the data from which will inform recommendation
• Completed: October – November 2025: Public engagement events on 10 October and 18 October 
• December 2025: Completion of this initial stage of the project and updates will be shared here.

Both the lift and the 100 Steps are vital connections between George Street, the bustling high street of the Old Town, and the West Hill. These investigative surveys and feasibility studies will provide valuable insights identifying key elements that require further investment, ensuring this important heritage asset is preserved and enhanced, with the aim to improve wider connectivity and enhance accessibility for all through future funding opportunities.

Update May 2025

The National Lottery Heritage Fund has awarded Hastings Borough Council £188,000 to support initial feasibility studies and an assessment of the condition and long-term maintenance requirements of the West Hill Lift including the pedestrian route from George Street to the West Hill Lift, known locally as the “100 Steps”.

The West Hill Lift is a cliff railway which takes passengers from George Street in Hastings Old Town to the top of the West Hill and is over 130 years old. The railway is operated by the council. Hastings Castle and Smugglers Adventure can be reached by the lift and via the 100 Steps, there are also views across the Old Town towards Beachy Head from the top of the hill. The lift is utilised by residents of the West Hill and the town, and visitors. 

The Heritage Fund grant will be used to conduct a detailed surveys, investigations and assessment of the current condition and long-term maintenance requirements of the lift, tunnel, stations, carriages and surrounding area including the steps and approach to the steps to Hastings Old Town and will provide crucial insight into the condition through reports and designs to develop a strategy to ensure the lift remains functional and integral part of the heritage site. 

Both the lift and the 100 Steps are vital connections between George Street, the bustling high street of the Old Town, and the West Hill. These investigative surveys and feasibility studies will provide valuable insights identifying key elements that require further investment, ensuring this important heritage asset is preserved and enhanced, with the aim to improve wider connectivity and enhance accessibility for all through future funding opportunities.

Notes:

Using money raised by National Lottery players, The National Lottery Heritage Fund supports projects that connect people and communities with the UK’s heritage. The West Hill Lift project is made possible with The National Lottery Heritage Fund. Thanks to National Lottery players, we have been able to fund conducting detailed surveys and investigations and assessment of the current condition and long-term maintenance requirements of the lift, tunnel, stations, carriages and surrounding area including the steps and approach to the steps to Hastings Old Town and will provide crucial insight into the condition through reports and designs to develop a strategy to ensure the lift remains functional and integral part of the heritage site.

The National Lottery Heritage Fund is the largest funder for the UK’s heritage. Using money raised by National Lottery players we support projects that connect people and communities to heritage. Our vision is for heritage to be valued, cared for and sustained for everyone, now and in the 
future. From historic buildings, our industrial legacy and the natural environment, to collections, traditions, stories and more. Heritage can be anything from the past that people value and want to pass on to future generations. We believe in the power of heritage to ignite the imagination, offer joy and inspiration, and to build pride in place and connection to the past.

You can find out more on the Heritage Fund webpage.

Cabinet approval of the application to The National Lottery Heritage Fund can be viewed on the Modern Gov site.

Approval of funding was announced at the Town Deal Board meeting 11 March Item 5 - Programme progress update.pdf

This project has been made possible thanks to money raised by National Lottery players.