BUSINESSES have welcomed a scheme to transform a town centre.

Plans revealed recently show how the centre of Eastbourne will be revamped with shared space for pedestrians and buses, wider footways and new bus stops, street furniture, landscaping and street lights.

The improvements, from Grove Road roundabout along Terminus Road and into Cornfield Road, will run alongside a separate multi-million pound redevelopment being carried out by the owners of Eastbourne Arndale Centre.

Guy Grimley, the owner of men’s clothing shop BN21 Designs in Terminus Road, said the area desperately needs a lift.

He told The Argus: “It definitely needed doing and the pressing need for it to be done has become very apparent over the past two or three years.

“It has got more dilapidated here – the sooner it’s done the better.”

Alex Chatfield, a director of Chatfield’s Jewellers in Cornfield Road, said it was good the street was being updated.

She said: “It shows that they are including us in their plans.

“The plans keep changing but from what I can see it looks positive.”

Mrs Chatfield also expressed reservations over where bus stops would be placed, adding: “None of the shops here know exactly where the bus stops will go.

“If buses are going to hang around and cause pollution that’s not a good thing but it’s too early to say.”

She also praised the Arndale Centre’s improvements, saying: “Eastbourne is very lucky to have its shopping centre.

“The building work will be fun but when it’s over it will be a good thing. It’s about time.”

East Sussex County Council and Eastbourne Borough Council are spending £3.2 million on the improvements while the Arndale Centre is spending £85 million of its own money on a face-lift.

David Ruddle, who runs The Best Of Eastbourne, a franchise that encourages people to buy locally, is cautiously optimistic.

He said: “I have been seeing mixed reactions. I know the overall feeling is that it’s a welcome refresh.

“I’m in favour of it and haven’t had too many people saying it’s a bad thing. I think until it’s a bit more concrete and we see more happening, we should be cautious but I’m confident it will improve things for local businesses.”

Neil Crawford, retail development manager at Legal & General, owners of the Arndale Centre, said: “The improvement scheme, together with the new extension to the centre and works to remodel the existing west entrance, will see this part of the town centre completely transformed.

“We have been working closely with both councils to ensure the delivery of our respective works is well co-ordinated and that any impact on local businesses and customers is kept to a minimum.”

The scheme will see footways widened by two to three metres and kerbs removed between the Ashford Road junction and Cornfield Road, where new bus stops will be installed to replace stops currently sited in Terminus Road.

The road will be repaved while new lights, seats, bins and bike stands will be installed alongside small flower beds and trees.

The council said the scheme has the backing of bus and rail operators and will be contacting businesses affected to explain the scheme in more detail.

It is on track to begin in September with the Arndale extension expected to be completed in 2018.