About

"Journalism, even though it takes a long time, is worth doing."

Ian Hislop, editor Private Eye / June 2026

Rebecca Maer launched Eastbourne Reporter in May 2022 because she was seriously concerned about the decline of proper news reporting.

Local papers used to have teams of experienced journalists providing accurate, well-researched reporting, holding the powerful to account. Sadly, they're now a shadow of their former selves, with copy-and-pasted press releases often masquerading as 'news'

You can read PR content from Eastbourne Borough Council here, sign up for regular EBC council information here, read press releases from Sussex Police here and the Sussex Police and Crime Commissioner here. Much of this is presented as 'news' by some media outlets. We do not do this.

We exist solely to provide Eastbourne with proper reporting, asking questions and interviewing people.

We also collaborate with community writers, media students and volunteer reviewers to give a wide range of people a voice.

Why we're different

The Eastbourne Reporter writes about all aspects of life in our town by interviewing people and linking to reputable sources. We dig into the detail, and go the extra mile to share the truth. This is what all journalists used to do.

Articles, on our clean, ad-free website, you will not read elsewhere include:

Former TJ Hughes site sold

By Rebecca Maer, Eastbourne Reporter The former TJ Hughes department store building in Eastbourne has been sold on without any planned development work starting. The site has nine months left on planning permission for conversion to 65 apartments. Details of the deal are confidential but it is understood to have

Eastbourne ReporterEastbourne Reporter

Compensation payout of £118,000 given to council director on leaving office

By Rebecca Maer A compensation payment of more than £118,000 was made to a council director for “loss of office” making it one of the top ten largest payouts by local authorities across the UK. The payment of more than a year’s salary was made to the director

Eastbourne ReporterEastbourne Reporter

Developer faces prospect of legal action over Claremont Hotel hoardings

The burnt-out remains of the seafront Claremont Hotel, propped up with scaffolding, have been surrounded by hoardings which have become more dilapidated over the past two years. REBECCA MAER asked Eastbourne Borough Council and the developer what was being done to improve its appearance. Legal action may be taken if

Eastbourne ReporterEastbourne Reporter

Questions asked over Boutique Modern contract

By Rebecca Maer Rigorous credit checks and a risk assessment were carried out on a company which went into administration just as a £45 million building project was starting, a council meeting heard. Eastbourne Borough Council’s director of housing Nathan Haffenden insisted the procurement process for awarding the contract

Eastbourne ReporterEastbourne Reporter

How we’re funded

We’re a Community Interest Company which means any profits are reinvested in re-establishing genuine local journalism.

We aim to become mostly funded by readers, which is very important to us.

Individuals can support us with a monthly donation here and we have a Patrons scheme for organisations to get involved. You can also contribute with a one time donation through this link.

A total of 100,000 people have read the website for free since launch four years ago. But only about 45 people donate a modest amount each month: this totals around £250 and covers the basic running costs of website, accountant and professional fees.

There are also important contributions from our two patrons - the Eastbourne Chamber of Commerce and Tech Resort - which are a huge help but editor Rebecca Maer still works on a largely voluntary basis.

This kind of reporting takes time and research so we urge you, your friends and colleagues to support us. If you want better local news, please consider paying the price of a coffee a month for it.

Who we are

Rebecca Maer / editor & CIC director

Rebecca is a qualified journalist with 30 years’ experience in the UK and overseas. Rebecca has worked as a news reporter at local and national levels, a feature and travel writer, columnist, business editor and city editor. She moved to Eastbourne in 2021 and is paid one / two days a month for work on Eastbourne Reporter. In reality, she works two days a week on the website, writing and editing.

Rebecca's CV includes the following organisations:

• The Observer, London
• The Press Association, London
• Teletext, London
• Bangkok Post, Thailand
• Nottingham Post
• The Argus, Brighton
• Freelance photojournalist, south-east Asia

Paul Bromley / volunteer journalist

Paul is a qualified journalist and broadcaster who worked for 40 years for regional newspapers, the Press Association and Sky News specialising in reporting politics and elections. He now works in community rail. He is a volunteer writer with Eastbourne Reporter

Will Callaghan / volunteer CIC director

Mariana de Araújo / volunteer IT lead

David Lush / volunteer community reporter lead

David Lush leads the Eastbourne Reporter community journalism initiative, Since 1985, he has had various roles within the media: journalist, publisher, trainer, funder, activist and researcher. He grew up in Eastbourne and trained on the Hastings Observer newspaper, before moving to southern Africa. He now runs a media consultancy firm in Brighton and is a Research Associate with the University of Lancashire's Media Innovation Studio.

Gary Murray / volunteer theatre reviewer

Gary was a professional actor for 14 years in theatre, radio, TV and even a couple of operas. After many years on the tech side of the ticketing industry, he now works at Tech Resort and is a volunteer reviewer for Eastbourne Reporter

Alison Norwood / volunteer arts reviewer

Alison is an editor, proofreader and writer with more than 30 years’ experience working in publishing and print. She led the academic publishing programme at the Institute of Development Studies, Brighton, for many years and is currently the director of Norwood Editorial Services, Eastbourne. Alison has studied art history throughout her career, and also writes novels. She has lived in and loved Eastbourne all her life

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