An MP has raised concerns over a boarded-up amusement centre in a town centre. Owens opened in Hastings in November 2022 in the empty lot left by Debenhams. It offered a range of entertainment including crazy golf, amusements and bowling.
The business was awarded £400,000 from the Hastings Town Fund, which was given to Hastings Borough Council by the former Conservative government as part of the Levelling Up fund. However, in September last year it announced its shock closure, saying it hoped to reopen in a year’s time. But Owens, in Robertson Street, remains shut and is covered in boards.
CQEC Ltd, the company responsible for Owens, went into administration and documents published via Companies House on October 22 show unsecured losses of £5,610,528. READ MORE: Major kitchenware brand to open new store in garden centre . The Owens building in 2023 (Image: Steve Daniels/Geograph) On Monday, Hastings MP Helena Dollimore spoke out in the Commons on the issue.
She said: “In 2022, Lubov Chernukhin opened an amusement centre in Hastings town centre known as Owens. “The project received more than £400,000 of taxpayer money as part of the Conservatives’ levelling up towns fund plans. “Ms Chernukhin has also donated more than £200,000 to the Conservative party.
READ MORE: Businesses say disposable vapes ban will hit them hard “Shortly after opening, Owens closed and earlier this month it was covered in boarding, which now dominates Hastings town centre. “Can the min.
