Eastbourne awarded £1 million to tackle derelict buildings following MP's campaign

Thursday, 29 October 2026 at 11:00

By Philip Keeler

Lib Dem MP for Eastbourne Josh Babarinde

Eastbourne has been awarded £1 million in Government funding to help tackle derelict buildings and bring neglected properties back into use.

The announcement was made on Wednesday 28 October by Eastbourne MP Josh Babarinde, who has been campaigning for greater Government support to address the number of empty and deteriorating buildings across the town.

Eastbourne is one of 60 local authority areas across England set to benefit from the Government's £125 million Derelict Buildings Fund.

The scheme aims to transform disused and neglected properties, helping to regenerate town centres, support local economies and create new opportunities for communities.

Mr Babarinde has repeatedly raised concerns about the impact of derelict buildings on Eastbourne, arguing that prominent empty properties have been holding back the town's regeneration.

Among the buildings he has highlighted are the former Debenhams department store in the town centre and the old BT building on Moy Avenue.

The MP has spent the past two years campaigning for action, including raising the issue in Parliament and calling for stronger Government intervention.

The new funding represents an opportunity for Eastbourne to address some of its long-standing problems with vacant and deteriorating properties.

Announcing the award, Mr Babarinde said: "I'm delighted to have secured £1 million in Government funding for Eastbourne through the Derelict Buildings Fund.

"Over the last two years, I've worked hard to push for action on the derelict buildings blighting our town – from Debenhams to the old BT building on Moy Avenue.

"This funding is a welcome step forward for Eastbourne."

The wider Government programme is intended to help local authorities bring prominent empty buildings back into productive use, potentially creating new shops, workspaces, community facilities and other services.

It forms part of a broader effort to revitalise high streets and address the problems caused by long-term commercial vacancies.

While the £1 million allocation has been announced, details of which buildings in Eastbourne will benefit, how the money will be spent and when work could begin have not yet been confirmed.

The former Debenhams store and old BT building have been highlighted by the MP as examples of the problem, but neither has yet been confirmed as a recipient of the funding.

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