Hastings remains closed to tourists, council says

The authority is repeating its position, following the Government’s continued easing of lockdown, that people are still urged to stay home and stay safe as much as possible. 

To back this message up the council said its public toilets and other amenities, like tennis courts, remain closed.  

The council pushed this message, through its social media, its resident’s email newsletter and via a press release, at the end of last week to stop the town’s open spaces being overcrowded over the bank holiday weekend making social distancing impossible, and to deter visitors to the town bringing with them potential risk of infection. 

With last night’s government announcement of further easing to lockdown measures the council will be repeating its messaging for the coming weekend.

Council leader Kim Forward said: “We know a large number of people support our position, and the town remained quiet for much of the bank holiday weekend; though Monday was busier than we would have liked. 

“Thank you to those people who are taking their own safety seriously, and also being considerate to the safety of others. You are helping keep Hastings safe.” 

Deputy leader Colin Fitzgerald said: “It has been well-documented that Hastings has one of the lowest rates of infection in the country.

“This will only remain the case if we are careful and responsible.

“We have had reports over the weekend of people defecating and urinating in the town’s open spaces because the toilets are closed. 

“This isn’t acceptable at any time, but it especially not during a global pandemic. Our toilets being closed is not justification for this behaviour. We are all accountable for our actions. 

“The council has made very clear its position and the fact that the toilets are closed. People need to plan accordingly, and we’re clear: we are still not ready to welcome tourists to our town. 

“We know this is not ideal but again we believe this is the right thing to do to safeguard residents. 

“Opening the toilets would also mean drawing away our limited cleansing resource from essential services like the crematorium and street cleansing operation towards cleansing public toilets.”

Cllr Forward added: “Like other councils, we were not consulted about this, nor previous, easings of the lockdown measures announced by government and the impact on our town.