How long does it take to build a kiosk?

[Derek Jempson]

Work on the new kiosk near the old White Rock Baths was begun months ago and is still not completed. It's a very simple timber construction that would take any competent builder a couple of weeks to complete. I do hope that the company concerned is not paid by the day!

[Richard]

I remember that being laid out and thinking it must be temporary, but what is it going to be.
Is it anything to do with this?

http://publicaccess.hastings.gov.uk/onl ... APR_102817

[Derek Jempson]

Yes, it is Richard. I have to say that on every occasion when I've passed by, there is either no one on site, or the builders are standing around chatting. Whole terraces of houses could be built within the time they've taken so far!

[Richard]

I see what you mean, Derek,
There is a lad slowly tackling items on the Kiosk built on a large footprint decking-area with about a dozen power tools dotted about.
An older foreman type, seen yesterday chatting to a passing 'official'?
They seemed to be in no great hurry as if they had all the time in the world.

Not sure what it's all about, a tiny Kiosk to serve coffee and snacks with tourists on the promenade sitting about at the busy road junction?
It should be ok I guess - by Christmas they could be ready to serve mulled-wine and sausages!

[Derek Jempson]

I'll look forward to Christmas then, and have my mittens, woolly hat and scarf ready!

[Derek Jempson]

Apparently, the work was completed this week, but it's not open yet. Never was something so simple completed by so many, over such a long period. The Great Wall of China was probably erected within a shorter time-frame!

[Richard]

It strikes me that a whole raft of new ventures are now being built in dear old Hastings that seem to present a stark environment without any real feeling for its sense of history.
I know the 'build it and they will come' mentality rules, but we have a bold stretch of office blocks along Havelock road and a pretty stark Pier and Jerwood that stand out like 'sore thumbs'.
let's hope some joined-up thinking can allow them to be adapted into something fit for purpose in the future or they may risk becoming 'white elephants' or 'follies' that are basically a waste of money.
If it our money that is being spent on ventures such as the 'Kiosk', as highlighted by Derek, then we may have some serious cause for concern.

[Richard]

Near Derek's 'Kiosk', on the beach, is a large jumble of giant limestone blocks that look to have been deposited by an offshore vessel, still lurking offshore and to the east.
I guess they will be used to build massive groynes.
It seems strange that wooden ones are not being built, as I believe have recently been constructed at Eastbourne.
Perhaps it's quicker, or cheaper, to erect stone barriers to the shifting of the sand by the tides, or just that the currents are so powerful that nothing else will do?

[Derek Jempson]

Although the stone blocks are unsightly, I suppose they are permanent and need no maintenance, unlike wooden groynes and concrete groynes that the sea erodes. They are however, rather dangerous for people to clamber over - in fact impossible for some to clamber over.

[Richard]

It looks like a degree of 'overkill' but I seem to remember the Council are always having shingle shunted around on that stretch of the beach, which must be subjected to exceptional currents.
With the Pier in mind they may have thought it better to play safe - and no doubt it's cheaper and the giant limestone rocks come from China! (joking).