Sheikh Gulzar says he wants to buy Eastbourne Bandstand from council
The owner of Eastbourne Pier is looking to buy a bandstand after a £26million bid to boost funding was rejected last week.
Sheikh Abid Gulzar said it was “terribly sad” to see the Eastbourne Bandstand closed last year and said he would “invest heavily” to restore the listed structure.
He is asking Eastbourne Borough Council to sell him the bandstand after the Government rejected an offer of increase last week.
Sheikh Gulzar said he was not interested in the “political banter” and wanted to get the 88-year-old bandstand back in top shape for the tourist town.
He said: “It was terribly sad to see that Eastbourne Bandstand is closed for the whole of 2022 because it is in such poor condition.
“That can’t be true in a popular tourist town like Eastbourne.
“It was obviously disappointing that Eastbourne Borough Council failed in their bid to restore the bandstand.
“The council was honest – they don’t have the money to properly restore the bandstand.
“So give me the bandstand and I’ll invest heavily in it.”
Sheikh Gulzar bought Eastbourne Pier in October 2015 after it was damaged by a major fire in July of the previous year.
A grant of two million pounds has been made available by the Government to help with these repairs.
According to the Companies House website, Mr Gulzar is listed as a director of 11 companies, three of which have dissolved or gone into liquidation.
He added: “There had been a huge fire and the pier was in ruins.
“I’ve invested huge sums of money in the pier and look at it now, everyone loves it.
“I will do the same for the bandstand. I have the money and I know exactly what to do.
“I’m not interested in all the political bickering and who’s right or wrong.
“This is the future of Eastbourne, our beloved city, and I am up for the challenge.”
After rejecting the leveling bid, the council said £750,000 would be set aside for repairs and maintenance of the bandstand before it opens in April.
Sheikh Gulzar hopes the council will meet him as soon as possible.
The council said it would not comment on the proposal.
https://www.theargus.co.uk/news/23278523.sheikh-gulzar-says-wants-buy-eastbourne-bandstand-council/?ref=rss Sheikh Gulzar says he wants to buy Eastbourne Bandstand from council
