Villagers in Camber expressed their frustration about the damage the bio-bead pollution continues to have on tourism and the local economy at a meeting on 7 February.
It was called by Helena Dollimore MP for Hastings and Rye and was attended by local people, businesses, Parish Councillors and Sarah Broadbent, the Chair of 1066 Country and Vice Chair of Rye and District Chamber of Commerce.
The public turn-out demonstrated the strength of local concern.
Ms Dollimore updated on her own communications with Southern Water asking for immediate and speedy cleaning of the beach and assurances that there would be better control over the use of beads in the water cleansing process.
She also referred to her own campaign to have the use of beads in cleansing banned by the Government.
There were a number of strong criticisms over the news from SW that the process of cleaning the beach would take three years and that the Rother District Council signage on the beach stating ‘POLLUTION ALERT’ was having a detrimental effect too by scaring off visitors and holiday makers who would normally want to come and enjoy Camber beach sea, cafes and pubs. Examples of the effect of the downturn of visitors were given and the financial losses to local businesses being experienced.
Letters from SW invited businesses to claim financial compensation for those losses based on accounts for the period of 3 November 2025 to 3 January 2026 and compared to the same period last year, but it was pointed out the losses were still being felt into February and likely to extend further unless the negative local and national media publicity that concentrated on Camber could be reversed.
The consensus by the end of the meeting was that in addition to compensation for businesses, substantial financial resources should be given by SW to create a positive image of Camber as a resort to enjoy in 2026 and beyond. This needed to happen speedily and Ms Dollimore stated that those resources should be made to be used in a partnership with local businesses, community groups and Rother District Council. This was endorsed by the Chair of 1066 Country who emphasised the need to work on the restoration of Camber’s reputation through positive promotion, marketing and public relations and they would support this endeavour.
Ms Dollimore stated she would take forward the idea of such a coalition.
Image Credits: Kt bruce .