EASTBOURNE MP Josh Babarinde has called on the Government to give local communities stronger powers to bring derelict town centre buildings back into use.
Speaking in the House of Commons on Monday (15 September), Mr Babarinde highlighted the problem of large vacant units, including the former Debenhams building on Terminus Road, which he said were blighting the town and attracting antisocial behaviour.
He told MPs that he has been working closely with Eastbourne Borough Council and Sussex Police to raise concerns, but warned that local authorities currently have limited powers to force private landlords to maintain or repurpose their properties.
Mr Babarinde has written to the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, asking what steps the Government is taking to prevent big commercial premises in town centres from sitting empty for years.
He welcomed new legislation currently being pursued in Parliament that would enable local communities to reclaim and revitalise important assets such as empty shops, pubs and community spaces.
Mr Babarinde pointed to positive examples already seen in Eastbourne, such as the former TJ Hughes store, which is now occupied by the charity Living Life. The organisation has transformed the site, running a charity shop, providing a warm space in winter and hosting a wide range of community activities.
He urged ministers to meet with him to discuss how Eastbourne can use the proposed new powers to force owners to act on empty units.
Mr Babarinde said: “Our community deserves a vibrant and thriving town centre, not a landscape dominated by empty shells. I want to see these spaces brought back to life for local people.”
