by Rebecca Hannant
People are being invited to have their say on plans to install beach huts and small business kiosks on Withernsea’s promenade and at Valley Gardens.
In April 2024, Withernsea Town Council and East Riding Council launched a consultation seeking views on a seafront regeneration project and the plans are now live on the East Riding online portal.
UK Shared Prosperity Funding could see the addition of 28 beach huts along Withernsea’s Central Promenade and 10 microkiosks in Valley Gardens, creating a “coastal market” that could see up to 10 businesses set up shop.
If given the go-ahead, the coastal market kiosks will also include the installation of mains services including electricity, water and drainage. The 12ft-by-12ft kiosks will be available to rent to small businesses and start-ups for a fee.
The kiosks are designed to be small and low-cost, providing space for microbusinesses and new start-ups, while also supporting larger seasonal markets and events.
Measures will be taken to ensure that new businesses do not impair existing ones.
Withernsea Town Council and East Riding Council say that Valley Gardens was chosen as a strategic improvement site by the councils’ growth teams because of its under-use, low footfall and lack of amenities for tourists and residents.
Meanwhile, the 28 beach huts, located between Central Promenade and Memorial Gardens, aim to blend short-term day and week rentals with several long-term leaseholds.
Each hut will be painted in pastel colours, with wood-effect cladding and a combination of pastel blue, red, yellow and orange.
South East Holderness ward councillor and businessman Jon Dimberline said the beach huts and microkiosks could benefit Withernsea by bringing back its traditional seaside town feel.
However, he raised concerns about maintenance and vandalism.
Cllr Dimberline said: “I think it is commendable that someone has come up with this as an idea, and there are grants available for it to go ahead. If it’s operated and run well, it could be a good thing for the town.
“I can remember years ago when you could rent deckchairs, and there were small business pods on the promenade, selling toys, shellfish and candy floss – and people often say that was a quirky seaside town thing that’s no longer there. So, these microbusiness units and these beach huts will bring back a quirky seaside town thing.
“It’s a fabulous idea in principle that could look fabulous for the town. Withernsea Town Council needs to police them to a very high standard once the huts and kiosks start to need repairs and improvements. The town council needs to do regular checks, otherwise individual renters will end up turning them into something different over time.
“I am concerned that it might create extra traffic in certain areas, such as round the back of Memorial Gardens. I am also concerned about it attracting vandalism and the gathering of youths that could cause problems for nearby houses and businesses. It’s important that if there’s little nooks and crannies in between these units, they don’t get used as little dens or gathering places.
“The problem with these things is that they haven’t got the footfall. I think they could struggle to fill the business units with regular licensees – however, the only way to make sure they are going to get 10 new businesses in the microbusiness units is to put them there and see.
“However, people are now paying high rents in the middle of town. I know one shop whose rent has gone from £600 to £700 and now £900 a month. It’s too much money for Withernsea, so these kiosks could help smaller businesses, provided the rates are cheaper.
“Some people might move out of the town, move to a smaller unit and work out of there. That might encourage more footfall into the town and build economic growth. I can understand it worrying local shops, but it might also encourage other little businesses to come that otherwise wouldn’t be there.”
South East Holderness councillors Lyn Healing and Sean McMaster said: “The new beach hut scheme in Withernsea is a long-held community ambition finally coming to life. This marks the first phase of beach huts on our coastline, providing a fantastic new addition to the seafront.
“These huts will cater to a variety of visitors and needs – offering day and short-break rentals for holidaymakers and residents looking to soak up the seaside charm, and long-term leaseholds for residents who want their own slice of the coast. Meanwhile, it will offer a great opportunity for local hospitality businesses to expand their offering and add something extra for their guests.
“Withernsea Town Council, with invaluable support from East Riding colleagues, has secured funding through the mayoral fund coastal programme to make this vision a reality.
“The huts will be placed in an underused area of the Central Promenade – set back safely from the sea’s overtopping zone while still offering stunning views and direct beach access.
“To enhance the area further, we’re also working on pedestrianising this part of the promenade and developing plans for further seafront regeneration.”
- To view or comment on the plans, visit the East Riding planning portal and search the references 25/00080/PLF and 25/00081/PLF.