Priory Meadow Shopping Centre
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Priory Meadow Shopping Centre is a shopping centre in Hastings, East Sussex, England. The centre was opened in 1997 by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.
It was built on Priory Meadow, previously a cricket ground; the last county cricket match was played in 1989 prior to development of the Shopping Centre. This history is reflected by the statue in the outside square of a batsman holding a pose having played a stroke. Eagle eyed observers may spot the ball embedded in the first floor wall of F. Hinds jewellers opposite.
In the 13th century the area was underwater and formed the original harbour for Hastings. The harbour was one of the most important in the area and was the reason Hastings became one of the Cinque Ports. It became silted up by the natural flow of shingle along the coast and was eroded by a series of severe storms. Some construction delays were caused by the unusual nature of the site and there have also been major incidences of flooding since opening that have affected the outside square.
Priory Meadow is in the town centre, and very close to Hastings railway station. It is open from 9:00am to 5:30pm on Monday to Saturdays and 10:30am to 4:30pm on Sundays, and the car park offers 800 spaces.
The local radio station Arrow FM is broadcast from the centre.
[edit] Priory Meadow Cricket Ground
Priory Meadow was suggested as a cricket ground in 1863, so it was levelled up and drained and the tenants of the farm received a notice to leave. Cricket was not the only sport seen at Priory Meadow, the ground also hosted tennis, bowls and it has been the starting place for the marathon. In 1989 the last county cricket match was played between Sussex and Kent, before the development of the shopping centre. The towns main cricket pitch is now located at Horntye Park Sports Complex.
