In a clear sign of the times it said its procurement process to find a development partner had only produced three expressions of interest and only one - Performance Retail Limited Partnership led by its project manager Lend Lease - had qualified.
But even this bid did not fulfil the Council's planning brief core principles and could, for example, did not include a fully comprehensive indemnity for CPO costs, laying the Council open to financial risk, and there was no parent company guarantee.
The Council also judged that the scheme fell short of its aspirations including pedestrianisation of Terminus Road and a new piazza.
"The regeneration of Eastbourne town centre continues to be a key priority for the Council and remains a cross party ambition; one which we know is also supported by the majority of the community," said the Council. "We will monitor the economic market and take stock and consider our options."
