Bottle Alley is the 480 meter lower deck of Hastings Promenade that runs between the Pier and Warrior Square. Named after the countless multicoloured pieces of glass bottle embedded in the concrete, Bottle Alley was built in the 1930’s by the town’s borough engineer Sidney Little who became known as the ‘Concrete King’ of the South Coast. He loved concrete and also designed the baths at White Rock, now The Source Park and West Marina, as well as the sea defences.
Formerly opened in 1934 the design of Bottle Alley was intended to allow visitors to walk along the top during good weather and underneath when it rained; specifically so that residents and visitors could make the most of the wonderful, fresh sea air.
Hastings Borough Council has recently carried out extensive concrete repairs and full redecoration of the structure and is currently exploring options for a new coloured LED lighting scheme.
“Added to the extensive refurbishment we have also positioned some new detailed interpretation panels at each entrance to Bottle Alley. These are intended to provide historical information to people passing by that want to know a little more about this amazing structure” said Cllr Dawn Poole the council’s lead member for regeneration.
She added: “The panels include lots of interesting facts and figures and the early construction photographs were researched by local historian Andre-Palfrey Martin.
“With the new pier and its extensive programme of events ,The Source Park, the new kayak centre located in Bottle Alley and of course the new planting schemes this area of the town’s seafront really is looking great and well worth a visit.”