£1m grant boost for Rother Next Wave project

The Government has announced this morning that Rother's 1m bid for funding towards the project under its 4.5m Sea Change scheme has been successful.

The funding programme is led by the Commission for Architecture and the Built Environment (CABE).

Bexhill is one of 12 English seaside towns to benefit under the Sea Change initiative, which seeks to reinvigorate "much-loved resorts" by Government investment in culture and heritage.

Bexhill shares with Berwick-on-Tweed the distinction of gaining the highest funding in the second round of Sea Change grants.

Culture and Tourism Minister Barbara Follett said: "I'm delighted that a further 12 resorts will benefit from the Sea Change scheme. The plans put forward are great examples of how investing in our culture and heritage can regenerate seaside communities.

"I'm pleased that so many seaside resorts around the country have embraced the chance to get involved in the first year of this programme.

"I hope it will continue to be successful, helping to restore pride in our communities and boost visitor numbers to our much-loved coastline."

CABE chief executive Richard Simmons, commenting on behalf of the Sea Change partnership, said: "We are pleased to have had applications from such a diverse range of resorts, all with their own character - from the northern borders to the south coast.

"What all the projects share is a desire to use the combination of culture and good design as a catalyst for regeneration.

"From Boscombe to Berwick, resorts are recapturing their innovation and creativity and will hopefully inspire many others to follow."

News of the CABE grant comes as Rother's Next Wave exhibition draws visitors in unprecedented numbers. The exhibition has now shifted from the De La Warr Pavilion to Rother Community Help Point in Amherst Road.

The exhibition opened at the Pavilion last Thursday evening. By Friday lunch-time the entire 500 print-run of feedback forms had been taken and Rother had to print a further 1,000.