Two men found dead in Eastbourne hotel
By Rebecca Maer
[Updated 16 May 2025 with the ages of the men]
The bodies of two men have been found within eight days of each other at the Ellesmere Hotel in Wilmington Square, Eastbourne.
Both men, aged 38 and 60, had been placed in temporary accommodation at the hotel by Brighton and Hove City Council (BHCC).
The two deaths are said to be unconnected with no suspicious circumstances in either case.
A Sussex Police spokesman gave the following statements to the Eastbourne Reporter this evening:
"Police were called to a premises in Wilmington Square, Eastbourne, at about 8.30am on April 28 over concerns for a man’s welfare. Sadly the body of a 38-year-old man was found. His next of kin have been informed and our thoughts are with them at this time."
"Police were called to a premises in Wilmington Square, Eastbourne, at about 3pm on May 6 over concerns for a man’s welfare. Sadly the body of a 60-year-old man was found. His next of kin have been informed and our thoughts are with them at this time."
The spokesman confirmed that there were no suspicious circumstances and that a report will be prepared for the coroner.
Cllr Gill Williams, the city council's Cabinet member for housing and new homes, said in a statement to the Eastbourne Reporter: "First and foremost our condolences go to the friends and family of the two people who sadly died.
"It would not be appropriate for us to comment in detail over such a sensitive issue other than to say that, like other local authorities in Sussex, we do use Ellesmere Hotel for emergency, temporary accommodation when there are no suitable in-city options available.
"This is booked on an ad hoc basis when needed and to make sure any residents we are supporting can urgently access safe accommodation."
The Eastbourne Reporter has asked the city council what welfare arrangements are in place for people they have placed in temporary accommodation in other towns.
In February last year, a safeguarding review was launched after a vulnerable 25-year-old tenant from Brighton and Hove died after being placed in Eastbourne.
BHCC councillors were told at the time that he died during a period when no welfare checks were carried out for more than a month because of staff leave, with no cover provided. It is understood welfare checks should be carried out on a weekly basis.
Hotel owner Peter Jackson told the Eastbourne Reporter the Ellesmere has 16 bedrooms. There were “a mix of guests” including key workers, NHS staff and holidaymakers along with people temporarily needing accommodation, he said.
“We help out wherever we can,” added Mr Jackson.
Brighton & Hove City Council's accounts for January 2025 show a payment of £2,774 to The Ellesmere Hotel on 9 January.
Mr Jackson said he could not comment on what welfare arrangements were in place for the people housed temporarily in the hotel.
We have also approached Eastbourne Borough Council to ask what, if any, involvement it has in placements made by other local authorities to temporarily house people in the town.
