4 days Ago
Plans have been approved to open a new food hall in a historic arcade. Hastings Borough Council has given the green light for the transformation of 9-11 Pelham Arcade, which is between Hastings Castle and the beach. The new food hall will feature seven restaurant booths and will have a range of cuisines.
According to the planning application, the booths will serve Indian, Italian, Turkish, Mexican, Chinese, Japanese and Korean food. The site is comprised of three currently vacant units, which can now be transformed into a food court. The arcade dates back to the 1820s (Image: Baker Architectural) The applicant stated: "9-11 Pelham Arcade is of historic importance, and we feel proud to own a property of such importance and value.
"By providing a variety of food, we are confident that our marketplace can become one of the busiest places in Hastings, which in turn generates more revenue. Read more: We visited The Terrace as new fan zone is prepared for FA Cup day "By bringing people together from different backgrounds and cultures, we aim to form a community where everyone will enjoy learning about one another’s culture and history of their food." The proposed design for the food court includes a freestanding pod layout, with only minor internal alterations planned to the Grade II* listed building.
The food pods will be freestanding units (Image: Baker Architectural) The internal layout will largely remain the same, with minor amendments such as internal stud walls being added to create the necessary spaces for the food court. The strategy of having multiple booths is intended to support businesses that cannot afford to open their own restaurant but are still keen to serve great food to customers. READ NEXT: Seafront restaurant allowed to keep beach huts permanently The applicant also explained that the restaurants will prioritise quick to make dishes, to "avoid long waiting times for customers and keep our customers happy".
The food court is expected to create between 35 and 45 jobs, with each booth creating five to six jobs in two shifts. The food court will be open from 10am to midnight, seven days a week. Some internal alterations and repairs are required (Image: Baker Architectural) Pelham Arcade itself is of significant historical importance.
Developed by Joseph Kay for Thomas Pelham, 2nd Earl of Chichester, in 1823 to 25, it was the first phase of the Pelham scheme. READ NEXT: Takeaway restaurant gets lowest possible food hygiene rating The arcade was modified in the 1860s to open up the southern range of stalls to the street. By 1881, Gothic fronts had been added to two bays of the façade.
The façade and internal plan of the southern arcade have been disguised by 20th and early 21st-century individual shops. Council planning officers said the proposed works would "aid in bringing an important building back into good repair and a long-term viable use"..
