Eastbourne bandstand – a regular summer venue for Uckfield Concert Brass – will be closed in 2022.

Repairs to the building, described as the busiest bandstand in Britain, are due to start soon, Eastbourne Borough Council said this week.

Bandstand shows are being moved to the Welcome Building, the new conference centre near the Congress Theatre.

Uckfield Concert Brass usually performs two fireworks concerts at the bandstand each year. The band said:

“We have enjoyed playing regularly to local people and tourists at the bandstand.

“We are pleased to hear that repair work is scheduled. We look forward to the opportunity to play at the Welcome Centre this year and return to the bandstand when the repairs are completed.”

Eastbourne bandstand was built in 1935 and hosts about140 events a year, including band concerts and tribute shows.

The council, which runs the bandstand, is due to make a decision on the repair programme next month.

In a statement, it said:

“Subject to cabinet approval in February, we will soon begin a £750,000 project to repair the stage area and parts of the main structure. We have been very clear that a temporary closure is required during this time.

“We look forward to welcoming audiences back to the bandstand when this essential work is completed.

“Bandstand shows are continuing at the Welcome Building and proving extremely popular with residents and visitors to the town.”

The bandstand was closed during Covid-19 lockdowns in 2020 and 2021.

Last year, Uckfield Concert Brass was proud to close the bandstand season with the final fireworks concert of the summer.

• The council’s cabinet meeting starts at 6pm on Wednesday 9 February 2022. Cabinet meetings meetings are open to the public unless exempt or confidential information is being considered. Details here