Interview - John Bownas

An aluminium light-up tree, complete with tinkling bell sounds, has taken the place of the traditional Christmas tree in the square (not really a square) with no name, the pedestrianised area of Robertson Street where the tree goes every year. Patsy and Caf interview John Bownas, manager of Love Hastings, the Hastings Business Improvement District AKA our local Town Centre Manager. The tree has sparked controversy, and much yarn-spinning in local Facebook groups, where John is doing his best to clarify bits and bobs about how it came about, where the money came from, and where folk might be able to apply for money to fund important local initiatives. In response to the growing conversations, and to bring the key questions to the fore, Our Town Has Plenty’s Patsy Solanki approached John Bownas to clarify some key points in an interview where comments about the tree were put forward (both positive and negative), and clarifications were sought. Tune in to find out more. Hastings Business Improvement District/ Love Hastings – more information: https://lovehastings.com/hastings-bid/ Pride of Place – follow the story on this opportunity to direct funds towards community initiatives with human resource (revenue) funding earmarked: https://www.hastings.gov.uk/regeneration/plan-for-neighbourhoods/ltp-more/ Buy us a ko-fi to keep us going… we do this without funding www.ko-fi.com/ourtownhasplenty or donate to us via paypal, using [email protected] as our address If you have a story you’d like to share, or an event or venue that you’d like us to feature please do get in touch with us. We’re here to amplify. Ta!