September 27, 2018 4.12 pm This story is over 69 months old

‘Save our Sutton on Sea beach huts’

Campaigners aiming to save the beach huts on the Sutton on Sea Colonnade say they want the council to preserve the resort’s skyline. East Lindsey District Council says the colonnade in the town is unsafe following a survey it commissioned which was published earlier this month. The council wants the huts lining the top of…
Sutton beach chalets stock image. | Photo: Daniel Jaines

Campaigners aiming to save the beach huts on the Sutton on Sea Colonnade say they want the council to preserve the resort’s skyline.

East Lindsey District Council says the colonnade in the town is unsafe following a survey it commissioned which was published earlier this month.

The council wants the huts lining the top of the colonnade to be relocated.

Campaigners Travis Heskith and Helen Louth. Photo: Daniel Jaines

But owners who met with the council on Wednesday evening say this is ‘unrealistic’ because it would damage the huts.

They are calling for the council to repair or replace the Colonnade and beach Huts ‘to retain the heart of Sutton on Sea’. 

Travis Heskith, campaigner and hut owner for 29 years, said the meeting had been positive, but added: “Our heart is we want to preserve the colonnade, the skyline of Sutton on Sea. It’s made treasured memories for tens of thousands of people, it needs to be maintained.”

Posters on the colonnade. Photo: Daniel Jaines

Campaigners want to save the Sutton on Sea colonnade and beach huts. Photo: Daniel Jaines

ELDC says no final decision has been made on the future of the colonnade but that the huts do need to be taken down.

Helen Louth, another hut owner said they were deflated by the news but that they were reassured by some of the undertakings by the council.

An online petition on ELDC’s website has so far had nearly 400 signatures, while a paper one is estimated to have gained 1,000.

Posters on the beach huts. Photo: Daniel Jaines

A Facebook group called Save Sutton On Sea Colonnade and Beach Huts now has more than 1,200 members.

James Gilbert, growth and promotions service manager for the council, said: “The council is committed to consulting on the future of the colonnade in Sutton on Sea and the pleasure gardens area to see what people would like in the future there.

“At this point in time we know the colonnade needs significant renovations or something similar and we want to go out and talk to people.”

They say they will also need money first before they can make any move.

Photo Daniel Jaines

Photo: Daniel Jaines

Photo: Daniel Jaines