26 May 2011
Eastbourne’s beaches have been recommended as having excellent bathing water quality in the latest edition of the Good Beach Guide, launched today by the Marine Conservation Society.
The south coast destination that boasts more sunshine than anywhere else in the country has beaten neighbouring resorts, including Brighton, Hove, Bexhill and Hastings whose beaches only managed to pick up a basic pass.
With Eastbourne’s main resort beach between the Wish Tower and Pier and the beach at Holywell also holding the Quality Coast Award, the destination offers visitors a safe and clean bathing experience this summer.
Eastbourne Borough Council Cabinet Member for Tourism, Cllr Neil Stanley said “We are extremely pleased to maintain an excellent grading for Eastbourne in the Good Beach Guide and this news comes in the same week that the town was highlighted as a staycation hotspot. With millions of visitors set to come to Eastbourne during 2011, we take pride in offering a first class bathing experience and hope that this year’s rating will encourage visitors to choose Eastbourne for a day out at the seaside!”
A packed events season is already underway in Eastbourne and the south coast resort will be welcoming millions of visitors over the next few months. With many of the events taking place on the seafront, including Eastbourne Fiesta, Eastbourne Extreme and Airbourne, the beaches will be welcoming a huge footfall this summer.
And according to a recent survey by Travelodge, more than a third of Brits will be taking a staycation this summer, with seaside holidays proving most popular. Eastbourne will be using its Good Beach Guide rating to remind visitors to be safe by the seaside.
Top tips include:
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Do not drink alcohol on the beach and never go into the water after drinking alcohol
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Never swim when the Red Flag is flying
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Do not swim near the pier or the groynes
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Ask a lifeguard before taking an inflatable onto the water and always follow their advice
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Swim with a friend
Visitors can pick up a Beach Safety Leaflet from the Seafront Office next to the Bandstand or download it online from the VisitEastbourne website. The leaflet also contains advice on sun safety and the Kidzsafe scheme, which operates on the beach between the Wish Tower and the pier.
Parents can pick up brightly coloured children’s waterproof wristbands from the lifeguards, deckchair assistants and the seafront office and write on their contact details so that they can quickly be reunited with their children if they become lost.
For more information go to the VisitEastbourne website or call 01323 410611.
