Cooden Beach Hotel up for sale

The Jarvis Cooden Beach Hotel is up for sale with London agents Christie and Co at 2.5million.

The move has met with concern from Bexhill Chamber of Commerce and Tourism which believes it would be a "disaster" if another hotel was lost.

But Rother leader Graham Gubby says plans are already underway to attract potential investors to ensure the property's future as a hotel complex.

He said would-be buyers have already "been to look" at the site behind the scenes.

The 40-bed venue is the largest remaining hotel in the town and is licensed for wedding ceremonies.

The distinctive building - complete with reception suites, bars, a health club and adjoining pub - has been subject to several sale rumours in the past.

In May, operations director for Jarvis Hotels Ltd, David Timmis, revealed to the Observer an "unsolicited" offer for the site had been received.

Previous owners have included Shields Hotel, Tiffany and Resort Hotels.

Jarvis Ltd has expressed a wish to sell with the "intention to consolidate its hotel portfolio with the sale of 11 hotels."

The hotel's plight coincides with independent plans for a town centre hotel.

Cllr Gubby, said: "I'm hoping we can attract some investors who would not only maintain the hotel provision, but would also bring in some money and, on the back of what we are doing with the rest of Bexhill, bring it up to an even better standard.

"Even before it was on the market and we got wind of the fact it may be sold, we started working with potential investors in the area and we have a fair amount of confidence we can get something to improve the local area."