Council gains assurances on beach venue’s disabled access

Ensuring that venues in the city are accessible to all members of our community is a priority.

We have been concerned that it has taken so long for Rockwater, a bar and restaurant in Hove, to install a disabled access lift. As a result, we have sought and now received a commitment from the bar’s owners that work to install the lift is planned to start from next week.

Rockwater was granted permission in January 2021 for major alterations, which included the creation of a large roof terrace. Access requirements to the terrace are clearly set out in the Building Regulations, and the plans, approved by the council’s planning committee, required the provision of a lift to enable all customers to access the roof top space. However, the lift was not in place when the venue opened in May last year.

Following discussions with the council, the owner submitted revised plans to install the lift at the opposite end of the building, which the council quickly approved in August. This set an expectation that the new lift would be operational by the 5 February 2022, but that was not achieved.

With Easter and better weather only weeks away, council officers had further meetings with Rockwater to agree how the roof terrace could be made accessible for all customers as soon as possible. The owners have now provided officers with evidence to show that works will be carried out by the end of May.

Councillor Leo Littman, chair of the Planning Committee, said: “A large part of Rockwater’s appeal is its beachside location and the views from its roof terrace. I am pleased to see that the owners have now committed to installing the lift we conditioned at Planning Committee, within the next couple of months.

“Officers will continue to monitor the work to help ensure the accessibility of the terrace to all residents and visitors.”