Local businesses in Camber have received letters from Southern Water informing them they may be entitled to business loss compensation because of November’s bio-bead spill on Camber Sands and the on-going clean-up.
As reported in Rye News last week, hospitality businesses and holiday let owners told representatives from Southern Water at a Camber Parish Council meeting they are struggling to keep afloat due a reduction in the numbers of people visiting the area, because of the adverse publicity about the safety of the beach.
The letter states that, “Businesses that have experienced a loss of earnings or incurred additional costs as a direct result of the incident, can make an application for compensation.”
The company is using an independent loss adjustor, Sedgwick, and advises businesses to contact them by email Utilities@uk.sedgwick.com, giving them details of their business accounts from the 3 November 2025 to 3 January 2026 and comparable accounts for the same period the previous year.
A Southern Water spokesman said, “We’ve put in place a fair way to look after businesses in Camber affected by the incident last November. We’re continuing the clean-up – which we’ve pledged to stick with for the long haul. We’re also focused on supporting Camber’s recovery as a great destination for families and we are engaging with the community and wider stakeholders on what this looks like.”
Southern Water advise business customers that they can contact the Sussex customer team if they require more help on sussexcustomer@southernwater.co.uk.
A campaign to promote a positive image of Camber, Love Local, Use Local – Promoting Camber Sands Businesses, has been formed and information can be found here.
Image Credits: Kt bruce .
As expected from Southern Water, what a duplicious bunch? They want accounts from the 3rd November 25 to 3rd January 26 to compare with those from a similar period the previous year.
They state on their website, recovery work is ongoing (a sand sifting machine is planned to start work end of January). And future Spring tides ‘may’ bring in more beads. In other words there is still an impact on the Camber Sands environment, which no doubt will continue for months yet. Southern Water call their compensation plan ‘fair’. How about a contingency plan that will support businesses should a drop off in trade be recorded (due to bead pollution) during the upcoming season? Such is the national publicity of this incident, the perception of Camber Sands for many, may well take more than few months to change. ‘We are continuing to cover the costs’ No you are not, the costs will be added to Southern Water’s customer accounts. Joe & Jenny Public will foot the bill.
Unfortunately I can’t use the descriptive I have in mind for Southern Water’s senior management. It’ll never get printed.
I’m afraid that is always the case,as soon as Southern water gets fined it goes straight onto customers bills, always has and always will,
Despite my recent ‘Ode to Southern Water’ advising them not to send me a bill due to their disastrous reputation with sewage outpourings and biobeads, they did.
They rang twice last week asking me several security questions. Being rather wary (and perhaps an awkward customer), I suggested that as she had phoned me, she knew my details. She refused to say why she was ringing until I’d answered her questions. I demanded to know HER full name, address and date of birth as part of MY security protocol and she duly did.
Despite this, I advised her that I would probably pay the bill at some point, but feel very displeased about the biobead, sewage and shareholders payments situation. The battle goes on!
Margot – what is it that displeases you about Southern Water shareholder’s payments please ? They haven’t had one since 2017 and have been told not to expect one until at least 2030 – you’ve almost got to feel sorry for them – they can’t offload their poor investment easily – who’d want to buy shares that don’t have a return on your investment !
I stand corrected, Simon, but should we really feel sorry for (CEO?) Lawrence Gosden who was awarded £691,000 as part of a long-term incentive plan this year, on top of his fixed pay of £687,000, according to the company’s annual report. It is understood that he has only received half of this payment this year, taking his total pay to more than £1m.
Poor him, he must really be struggling to make ends meet…
Yes, the CEOs salary is obscene, however in percentage terms of their annual revenue turnover of £964 million it’s pretty insignificant
On Meridian’s ITV 6.00pm broadcast on 6th Feb it was stated that the clean up would take three years. What will be remembered by viewers is not the newly introduced bio-bead sifting machines featured but a beach taking three years to clean! Add to that when turning the car into Central car park and viewing POLLUTION ALERT signage and a £30 for a 6+ hour stay it is no wonder cars are turning around to leave or not visiting at all. This view and image of Camber needs to be reversed speedily with financial resources put into marketing and publicising Camber and encouraging people to stay.After all Camber Sands has a glorious beach for swimming wind or kite surfing, board paddling or walks. SW should be promoting its positive side whether using Camber Sands as an enjoyable base, or place to visit with beautiful local countryside, the medieval town of Rye, historic building or the many nearby wineries. SW should start now as a new season approaches. Support this with financial input in partnrrship with local businesses and community groups.