Azur. The word conjures up a sense of summer and the blue colour of the sky and sea. For many residents in St Leonards it represents the only true seafront café, bar or restaurant in the borough which directly overlooks the beach and the sea.
Love it or hate it, Azur has been around for quite some time. The building was granted planning permission by Hastings Borough Council in 2004 as part of the Azur Marina Pavilion Regeneration Project. £1.9 million of public funding was granted and the vision was to transform St Leonards seafront.
It lies within the Burtons’ St Leonards conservation area, where properties must adhere to strict planning controls. A conservation area is defined as an area of “special architectural or historic interest, the character or appearance of which it is desirable to preserve or enhance”. I personally live in this conservation area and remember when I was replacing my front door, having to apply for permission and was required to send schematics of my door handle to the planning department for approval!
So why then is the freeholder (the Council), the leaseholder (Sea Space or Sea Change as it is now known) and the current underlease holder allowing this building to go to wrack and ruin?
The building is looking in a terrible state. The planters outside are just glorified ashtrays and the building itself is in desperate need of attention with chicken wire and zip ties forming ad hoc repairs. Overall, there is a general feel of dilapidation.
The original vision was to have a high-quality restaurant, made of materials which were durable and easily maintained. The Public Art Officer at the time commented that, “he anticipated that the area will soon be considered one of the most beautiful examples of new seascape design in the country”. It hasn’t quite turned out that way.
The Council have powers of enforcement when it comes to a conservation area and needs to use them. As freeholder, the council also need to speak to the leaseholder and apply pressure to make sure that all relevant lease conditions are being adhered to and that conservation area planning requirements are being followed.
There is enthusiastic talk of celebrating the bicentenary of the founding of St Leonards-on-Sea in 2026. Wouldn’t it be marvellous if Azur could once again be the seafront vision its original architects offered and made to sparkle once again.
Ideas for the centenary celebrations are being discussed at a public meeting at the Horse & Groom, Mercatoria, on Monday 5 June, at 7:30 p.m, in the converted garage. I am sure Bernard McGinley won’t mind me giving it a plug!
