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Decrease in Number of Empty Retail Units in Town Centre

Shopping & Retail, Town Revitalisation

Hailsham town centre 

Latest figures show that Hailsham town centre falls well below the current regional and national averages of vacant ground floor commercial units.

During the past few years, the town centre has welcomed a range of new businesses, including those which have expanded and subsequently relocated to larger premises and retail spaces.

According to a recent vacancy rate survey conducted by Springboard, the percentage of vacant ground floor units in Hailsham currently stands at 6.2%, a significant drop from the 7.7% recorded in July 2020. This compares to a current regional/South east average of 11.2% and national average of 11.3%.

Deputy Town Clerk and Business Enterprise Manager Mickey Caira said: “The percentage of vacant 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 over the past few years.”

Town Mayor Councillor Paul Holbrook said he is delighted to see Hailsham’s business activity strengthening and expects to see continual improvement in the future: “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.”

Several new businesses have opened in Hailsham in recent months, including Hailsham Barbers in the High Street, Sweet Tooth in Market Square, 847847 Taxis in George Street, Flowers By Maybugs in Vicarage Field and Happy Paws in St Mary’s Walk.

“I was delighted to be asked to cut the ribbon at the opening of these new businesses and it’s wonderful to see enterprising people setting up new ventures in our town,” said Mayor Cllr Paul Holbrook. “We have an increasingly vibrant town centre, despite the effects of the current pandemic – and the opening of these new businesses is a great addition.”

“I wish these new businesses every success in the future.”


Enquiries relating to this media release

Terry Hall, Communications Officer
Hailsham Town Council, Market Street, Hailsham, East Sussex, BN27 2AE
Telephone: 01323 841702 | Email: terry.hall@hailsham-tc.gov.uk