Eastbourne Residents Confirm Seafront Bench Has Been Occupied By Same Man Since Tuesday

By Barry Beakman, Senior Local Correspondent

EASTBOURNE — Residents have raised concerns after the same man was spotted sitting on an Eastbourne seafront bench for what is believed to be the fourth consecutive day.

The unidentified man, thought to be in his seventies, was first noticed on Tuesday morning sitting comfortably with a newspaper and flask.

He was still there on Friday.

Local dog walker Sandra Collins said she had passed him at least eight times.

"Wednesday morning he was there. Wednesday afternoon, still there.

"Yesterday I deliberately walked the other way round just to check.

"Still there."

Witnesses say the man occasionally leaves the bench for short periods but always returns before anybody else can claim it.

One resident attempted to sit down on Thursday afternoon but reportedly abandoned the idea after receiving "a look."

Council officials confirmed there are currently no regulations limiting how long somebody may occupy a public bench.

"We've checked," a spokesperson said.

"He's technically doing nothing wrong."

The situation has nevertheless created concern among regular promenade users.

"Everyone knows you don't own the benches," said retired resident Peter Morris.

"But after three days, you've basically established residency."

Property website Rightmove has reportedly valued the bench at £285,000 due to its uninterrupted sea views.

The man's belongings now include a flask, newspaper, folded raincoat and small carrier bag, leading some residents to believe expansion may already be underway.

At the time of publication, another pensioner had taken the neighbouring bench.

Neither man has acknowledged the other.