Boarding Up Old Town
When damage strikes in Old Town—whether it’s a smashed shop window on the historic High Street or a storm-battered door near the Redoubt Fortress—boarding up Old Town needs to be handled by people who understand the area’s narrow lanes, period properties, and mix of independent shops and homes. As local specialists covering BN20 and BN21 postcodes, we secure properties quickly and securely, using methods suited to the tight access and heritage feel of this Eastbourne enclave just a short walk from Eastbourne Railway Station.
Old Town’s charm comes from its cobbled streets like South Street and Cornfield Road, lined with Georgian and Victorian buildings that house cosy pubs, boutique shops, and flats above commercial units. These period properties often mean careful boarding to avoid damaging delicate frames, especially around landmarks such as the Redoubt Fortress or the bustling pubs near Gildredge Road. We’re familiar with the area’s residential-commercial blend, from the independent retailers on High Street to the homes tucked off Jevington Road, and we prioritise non-destructive fixings where possible to respect the architecture.
Why Old Town Properties Need Specialist Boarding
The tight streets and heritage status here make standard approaches tricky. A bay window on a corner terrace or a shopfront facing the High Street requires precise measuring on-site—18mm exterior-grade plywood for larger openings, or 12mm OSB for smaller ones—to ensure a weather-tight seal without obstructing pedestrian flow. We’ve handled everything from overnight break-ins at pubs to wind damage exposing roofs near the fortress, always explaining options upfront if a frame is too compromised for temporary fixes.
Common scenarios in Old Town include:
- Vandalism to retail units: Late-night glass attacks on shopfronts along High Street, where quick shopfront boarding prevents further theft or weather ingress.
- Burglary aftermath: Forced doors at homes off Cornfield Road, secured with door boarding or temporary steel doors for unattended properties.
- Storm impacts: Debris hitting upper windows in exposed spots near the seafront edge, calling for roof boarding with anti-tamper screws.
We don’t guarantee fixed arrival times—traffic from nearby A259 or station pick-ups varies—but urgent calls from BN20 and BN21 get priority. Our DBS-checked team arrives equipped, assesses safely, and provides time-stamped photos of before, during, and after, plus an itemised invoice for your records.
A Real Scenario from Old Town High Street
Picture this: It’s a chilly evening, and a pub on High Street suffers a smashed pane from rowdy passers-by. The landlord calls us after locking up, worried about rain and opportunist thieves overnight. We reach the site within the hour, measure the irregular opening around the historic frame, cut 18mm plywood to fit flush, and secure it with coach bolts and anti-tamper fixings from the inside. No damage to the listed building, fully weatherproof, and documentation ready for the insurer by morning. The pub reopens promptly after glaziers follow up, with the boarding blending neatly into the streetscape.
This approach works because we know Old Town’s layout—navigating the one-way systems from Eastbourne station or the A259 without delay, and coordinating if fire service tape is still up from an incident.
Our Coverage Around Old Town
We serve Old Town and nearby spots across BN20 and BN21, including neighbouring areas like Willingdon, Ratton, Hampden Park, and East Dean. From the shops clustered near Gildredge Road to homes along Jevington Road, our response covers the lot. If you’re further out, check our full areas we cover.
For insurance claims, we provide clear statements of work, matching standard requirements without acting as adjusters. Keep your police reference if applicable, snap safe photos beforehand, and we’ll handle the rest.
Materials and Methods Tailored to Old Town
- Plywood and OSB: 18mm marine-grade plywood for exposed shopfronts withstands coastal winds; lighter OSB for residential windows.
- Fixings: Anti-tamper screws prevent street-level removal, crucial for unattended pubs or shops.
- Access solutions: Ladders for upper storeys on terraced buildings; scaffolding only if needed and pre-agreed.
- Upgrades: Temporary steel doors for longer secures, or steel security screens for void commercial units.
We explain the why: These hold against coastal gusts common here, buying time for repairs without ongoing risk.
FAQs for Old Town
How do you handle tight access on Old Town’s cobbled streets like South Street?
We use compact vans and portable gear, measuring and cutting off-site where possible to minimise disruption in pedestrian-heavy spots.
What’s the process for boarding a pub window near the Redoubt Fortress after a break-in?
Call 01273 092 166, we’ll assess on arrival, secure with plywood and fixings, and leave photos/invoice. Expect documentation insurers need.
Do you cover both residential flats and shops in BN21 around High Street?
Yes, from upstairs homes off Cornfield Road to ground-floor retailers—we adapt materials and methods accordingly.
Can you board up out of hours near Eastbourne Railway Station?
Absolutely—24-hour emergency boarding up includes late nights for BN20 and BN21.
Next Steps
Stressed about damage in Old Town? Need help now? Call 01273 092 166 for immediate assistance, or email us to discuss.
