When the council took back the lease on the Wish Tower restaurant in November 2011, the ambition was to refurbish the venue and re-open as early as Easter, 2012.
The Council was aware of the need to carry out improvement works to the restaurant before re-opening, however further damage was caused during the removal of tenants’ fixtures and by recent high winds, meaning the building was in a far worse condition than expected.
It quickly became clear that a refurbishment programme was not viable with an estimated cost in excess of £400,000.
It was agreed that this did not represent a good use of taxpayers’ money and the council opted instead to demolish the structure and begin planning for the future.
The demolition will begin in March and will last for approximately six weeks. The Council is in dialogue with English Heritage and other statutory bodies to ensure the demolition is undertaken in accordance with best practice and with due care to ensure the preservation of the adjacent Scheduled Ancient Monument.
Befitting the generous donation made by the Foyle family in the 1950s, the long term plan is to create an attractive and high quality venue in this superb location. This establishment will include a memorial to the civilians of Eastbourne killed in World War II.
