October 12th, 2011
Eastbourne is continuing to buck national trends this month with the Grand Hotel Buildings launching a newly full shopping parade and residents and visitors are invited to come along and browse the new units at the official opening next Friday, 21 October.
The complete parade of retail businesses in Grand Hotel Buildings, part of England’s only 5-star seaside hotel, comes at a time when many high streets are struggling to fill their empty units.
The closure of the Post Office was followed by other shopkeepers retiring leaving four of the 13 shop units vacant, creating the trigger for revamping the parade which is just off Eastbourne seafront. Despite the recession, Grand Hotel Buildings has set itself apart from the rest of the country and this month has seen the parade fully occupied again with an eclectic mix of retailers.
Leader of Eastbourne Borough Council Councillor David Tutt said “We are absolutely delighted to see the Grand Hotel Buildings shopping parade complete again and it is fantastic news for Eastbourne. Over the past few months Eastbourne has been named as the country’s second fastest growing seaside resort and with new businesses such as these continuing to invest in the town, it all comes as a great boost to the local economy. With the Town Centre Area Action Plan progressing and a review of Devonshire Park also taking place, there are certainly exciting times ahead in Eastbourne!”
The Grand Hotel have made a conscious decision to let their premises to just one shop of each kind with independent retailers filling the parade and offering shoppers a wide range of businesses; from the Nigel Greaves Gallery, which attracts visitors from around the world, to the Owl and Sewing Cat, a sewing and haberdashery shop that has seen such success in its first 12 months that it is now expanding into the adjoining unit to offer yarns and knitting products too.
Other businesses in the parade include a Hairdresser, Ladies & children’s fashions, Florist, Goldsmith, Chocolatier, Chemist, Tea lounge, Hudsons Delicatessen and a Wine merchant.
The first of the new breed of retailers to move to the parade was Cooden Wine Cellars, which set up in the Grand Hotel Buildings 10 years ago and has gone from strength to strength.
Owner Colin Barnes has been delighted with the success of his business which is now a UK recognised wine merchant and the winner of multiple industry awards.
Nigel Greaves is just as happy after opening his gallery there in 2008 and said “This is a great location to showcase high quality contemporary art, and I have visitors from across the world coming to buy.”
The new parade will officially open next Friday, 21 October, from 11am when Stephen Lloyd MP, the Mayoral party and Leader of the Council will be officiating and then touring the businesses. Most of the retailers will be holding special “Opening Day” offers.
For more information on the shopping parade contact Mike Reid of Reid+Dean on 01323 412550.
