An MP has raised concerns over a boarded-up amusement centre in a town centre.

Owens opened in Hastings in November 2022 in the empty lot left by Debenhams.

It offered a range of entertainment including crazy golf, amusements and bowling.

The business was awarded £400,000 from the Hastings Town Fund, which was given to Hastings Borough Council by the former Conservative government as part of the Levelling Up fund.

However, in September last year it announced its shock closure, saying it hoped to reopen in a year’s time.

But Owens, in Robertson Street, remains shut and is covered in boards.

CQEC Ltd, the company responsible for Owens, went into administration and documents published via Companies House on October 22 show unsecured losses of £5,610,528.

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The Owens building in 2023The Owens building in 2023 (Image: Steve Daniels/Geograph)On Monday, Hastings MP Helena Dollimore spoke out in the Commons on the issue.

She said: “In 2022, Lubov Chernukhin opened an amusement centre in Hastings town centre known as Owens.

“The project received more than £400,000 of taxpayer money as part of the Conservatives’ levelling up towns fund plans.

“Ms Chernukhin has also donated more than £200,000 to the Conservative party.

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“Shortly after opening, Owens closed and earlier this month it was covered in boarding, which now dominates Hastings town centre.

“Can the minister advise me how my constituents can get their money back and how we can ensure that money is never wasted again like that?”

In response, the Parliamentary under-secretary of state for housing, communities and local government Alex Norris said: “I was very disappointed to hear about the closure of Owens and about any money wasted under the previous government.

“My officials are working with my Hon Friend’s council to maximise the remaining funding available from its town deal.

“On the general point, we are calling time on the waste from the previous government and moving towards multi-year funding settlements and ending competitive bidding for pots of money.”

Ms Dollimore added on Facebook: “Raised the Owen’s farce today in Parliament.

“Every time I walk through the town centre and see it I’m angry. Angry about the £400,000 of taxpayer’s money wasted that could have gone to so many other worthy causes.

“Angry about the staff who lost their jobs with no warning. And angry about the stain it now leaves on Hastings town centre.

“I could have talked much more about this in Parliament today but our time limits are very strict (and Mr Speaker cuts you off!). I’ll keep trying to get proper time in Parliament to expose this scandal.”

A spokesman for Hastings Borough Council said: "We are aware of the current situation and working closely with Moxie Management with the intention to bring the ground, first and second floors of the former Debenhams building back into use as soon as possible.

"We are on the list of creditors and have submitted a claim to the administrators”.