No, this article is not about Rye or indeed anything remotely related to Rye but I felt it worth writing in any event. “But why”, I hear you ask? This is RYE News after all, why tell us about something in Hastings?
Firstly, for many of us, losing some of our best loved high street names has changed our high street forever, others will come and go, mobile phone shops were everywhere but now it seems that vaping shops have taken over as well as the old favourites Costa and McDonalds (other high street brands are also available), but we will never see another Woolworths or Debenhams, names we all know, and which some of us grew up with.
The second reason for writing about something ‘out of area’ is that with the dearth of stories coming into Rye News we have little choice if your local paper is to survive. The stark reality is that we cant keep this paper running without stories, the choice is yours, send us something to write about locally or be prepared to see stories about topics in towns and villages other than Rye.
Debenhams in Hastings closed 10 months ago, a huge building over three floors and spanning around 77,000 square feet in all. An iconic building and a department chain many of us visited over the years I’m sure, but now it’s gone.
However, after months of speculation, the rebranded ‘Owens’ will be opening its doors in due course, a fun factory with entertainment for all ages. Attractions will include ten pin bowling, soft play, crazy golf, a themed restaurant and 20 more unique attractions including some never seen in the UK.
The new venture is owned by husband and wife Graham and Debbie Owen, both Hastings locals who are passionate about their community, and creators of Phileas Fogg’s World of Adventures, which was named tourist attraction of the year for Sussex.
Owens will create over 60 full time and part time local jobs, ideal for young people looking for exciting evening and weekend opportunities. The centre will be the first of its kind in the UK, great to see this substantial town centre building coming back to life once more.
Rye News will keep you posted as the project progresses and will be featuring more articles ‘around the county’ in due course.
Image Credits: Owens Entertainment .
For many of us who live in Rye, Hastings is a place we visit frequently to shop, eat out and enjoy the interesting urban landscape there. Any article about something really significant happening there is relevant for Rye News, in my opinion.
It’s impressive something is being done with that old Debenhams site, when so many across the UK are still empty.
To my tastes, Owens sounds sounds absolutely ghastly, but I’m sure others will enjoy it, and those jobs being created are a good thing.
I fully agree. Hearing about significant events in Hastings is interesting and possibly useful. I too get to Hastings and St Leonards every week for beach walks and eating out. But Owens does sound ghastly. However, thank heavens it is situated in a part of the town that has little appeal.
A ‘fun factory’? What price job creation? Well, let’s see if they at least restore the outside of the building facing the sea which has been totally neglected and decaying for years…..
So sad to see the decline and demise of the majestic Plummer Roddis building -as the store was known as throughout the 1960’s. Where we could buy almost anything we wished for and the staff were always immaculately dressed and polite. A few years ago, I made the mistake of ‘treating myself’ to lunch in the restaurant….what a depressing place and occasion. The carpets were stained and wind and rain was coming in through the window frames by the table of my choice.
I have memories of having my hair cut in the hairdressing salon, which was luxurious and expensive! I was only about 8 years old but had grown my short haircut with dreams of it being transformed into my idol of the time, Twiggy’s style. Unfortunately, the stylist was French and obviously didn’t understand my request. Off came the months of growth until I was left with even less hair than I had initially. It will take a long time to erase those memories of Plummers, then Debenhams.
Great idea. Ten pin bowling with my older grandchildren and softplay for the toddlers. Much better than going to eastbourne for bowling and lazermaze.
I hope that the enterprise proves successful.
Well done and thankyou.
I was surprised to read in Rye News a plea to ‘send us something to write about locally or be prepared to see stories about topics in towns and villages other than Rye.’
Although I live in Brede I find the contents of RN interesting but have noticed that the news seems to only relate to Rye and its’ immediate environs. I did not realise that this appears to be an editorial decision rather than a lack of input from elsewhere.
Rye is the centre of the local universe, forget Bexhill that might as well be in another country for all its’ relevance to eastern Rother. It is local area news that affects the minutiae of our lives iand keeps us informed.
An article such as that about Debenhams, which I remember as Plummer Roddiss, does not detract from the other contents of RN, in fact it adds more interest. Personally I would like to see more news from local villages which often feel neglected and ignored, this would provide a broader spectrum of what is happening in eastern Rother and add more interest to what is a really wonderful publication.
Long may Rye News continue.