The Concrete King of Hastings

In the 1930s Hastings and St Leonards were transformed from two slightly run-down Victorian resorts into a modern paradise of concrete and chrome. Historian Andre Palfrey-Martin tells the story of the role of Hastings Borough Engineer, Sidney Little, during that period. Some of his achievements that have stood the test of time include Bottle Alley, Britain’s first underground car park, the Lido and Marine Court (the liner on land). His expertise in utilising concrete was also called on during WWII, when he advised the Admiralty on the construction of the Mulberry Harbour, which kept the allied forces supplied in Normandy after D-Day.