In the 1800s, a shortage of space on the beach for the shore-based fishing fleet created restrictions on the space for fishing storage sheds, where nets and other equipment were kept dry.

This resulted in fishermen with only eight or nine square feet to build to design storage vertically. These thin, timber storage sheds up to three stories high were used for storing and mending the nets. They were known locally as net shops.

The sheds were originally built on the shingle-covered beach mounted on timber posts or rocks to allow the seawater to go underneath. Over the years as more shingle has built up and the beach has widened, water no longer reaches the huts.

These unique examples of net shops are located near the funicular railway and have been preserved with help from the local council and English Heritage. Because of their architectural uniqueness, the Hastings net shops are listed as Grade II.