A visit to one of Bexhill’s most historic buildings gave council representatives the chance to celebrate the progress of work to preserve it.
Members of Bexhill Heritage also joined the tour, on which contractor DBR Southern, explained the work underway at The Colonnade.
DBR Southern was appointed by Rother District Council to carry out essential repairs on the Grade II listed building earlier this year.
A new waterproofing membrane is being installed and repairs to the render are currently underway at the Colonnade, which is undergoing extensive work to address structural issues essential to safeguard its future.
Cllr Christine Bayliss, Rother District Council’s portfolio holder for regeneration and economic development, said: “The visit gave us a wonderful opportunity to see the work being done to protect this historic building for generations to come.
“These repairs will resolve persistent issues with water finding its way into the building, refurbish water-damaged areas and significantly improve this wonderful structure and it was great to see exactly how the contractors were achieving this.”
Cllr Hazel Timpe, the council’s portfolio holder for tourism, added: “Built in 1911 to commemorate the coronation of King George V the Colonnade has been a focal point on our seafront for more than 100 years.
“It’s vital that we prevent such important buildings from falling into a state of disrepair and I was delighted to have the chance to see how the refurbishment is going to do that whilst retaining the historic elements of the building.”
As well as the contractor being able to explain the process of the work being undertaken, Members of Bexhill Heritage, a charity that promotes the conservation, protection and improvement of the town’s historically, architecturally and culturally significant buildings, were able to provide further insights into Bexhill seafront’s history.
Steve Johnson from Bexhill Heritage said: “We were impressed with the contractor’s knowledge and understanding about how to tackle the problems presented by this heritage building and its challenging position on an unstable slope right next to the sea.
“Work was thorough and site staff were using the correct materials in the right way. We felt that the restoration was in very good hands and work was progressing well and we very much look forward to seeing the results once the project is completed.”
Ends.
Published: 22nd December 2025
