Businesses Continue to Set Up Shop in Hailsham

Business is booming in Hailsham, with latest figures showing a significant fall in the number of empty shop units in the town during the past two years.

During the past two years, the town centre has welcomed Subway in Hailsham High Street, Olivia B and Mismatch in St Mary’s Walk, Todd’s Barbers in George Mews and Dragon Photography Studio in Market Street plus additional charity shops — The Salvation Army located in the Quintins Centre, Age Concern in Vicarage Field and Kit Wilson Animal Trust in the High Street.

Also opening recently were The Snug Coffee Shop, Vapour Trail, Frame Works, Toy Town and Petersen’s Estate Agents in the High Street and Bebble’s Langos in George Street, as well as Boots Opticians in Vicarage Field which was opened by the Deputy Town Mayor, Councillor Amanda O’Rawe.

A number of businesses in Hailsham have expanded including Ross & Co Commercial Estate Agents, Dream Doors which moved from the High Street to larger premises in Diplocks Way, Renaissance Originals which relocated from St Mary’s Walk to a bigger retail space in George Mews and Neptune Home Design Centre which has extended it showroom in North Street.

The town centre received a further boost recently when a brand new Poundland store opened in the High Street last year — an amalgamation of the former Wealden Beds, Stead & Simpson and Sussex Stationers retail units.

According to a recent vacancy rate survey conducted by Springboard, the percentage of vacant ground floor units in Hailsham currently stands at 7.3%, a decrease from 7.4% in October 2015. This compares to a current regional/South east average of 7.4% and national average of 8.7%, which is excellent news for Hailsham.

Deputy Town Clerk and Business Enterprise Manager Mickey Caira said: “The percentage of vacant ground floor commercial units in Hailsham currently falls below the current regional and national averages, which is excellent news for Hailsham. Hailsham is the place to be and there has been a marked improvement in the number of empty shops in the town centre which has fallen considerably.”

Town Mayor Councillor Nigel Coltman said he is delighted to see Hailsham’s business activity strengthening and expects to see continual improvement during 2016 and beyond: “The Town Council and Hailsham Forward have key priorities to work with local businesses to deliver plans to help address the issue of empty shops further and work towards a 100% occupancy rate for retail and business units.”

“The fall in empty retail units and the town centre traffic improvements which are scheduled for this summer will help us build on our growing reputation as a safe, clean, vibrant market town with plenty to offer residents and visitors alike.”