Hailsham Town Council is delighted to announce the completion of the latest stage of improvement works to its Market Street office building, The Inglenook, with the repainting of the front exterior now finished. The work included painting and tidying the frontage, including window frames, and has given the historic Grade II listed building a refreshed and welcoming appearance.
This follows on from a major programme of refurbishment and electrical works over the past year, with the offices reopening to the public in June, marking the completion of a significant project that began in July 2024.
During this time, the Council’s offices and public enquiries desk were temporarily relocated to the Station Youth Centre in Western Road to allow for a full electrical rewire of The Inglenook/Fleur de Lys building, which dates back to the 15th century.
In addition to the full rewire across both floors of the Town Council offices and the adjoining heritage centre, the building has benefitted from a number of important upgrades. These include:
- New fire doors to improve safety
- Complete interior redecoration with modern finishes
- New carpets and office furniture
- Creation of a more accessible reception area
The public enquiries desk and reception at the Market Street offices are open Monday to Friday, 9am–4pm. Residents are welcome to visit during these hours for assistance with Council services or local information.
Operations and Facilities Manager Tony Lee said: “We’re thrilled with the transformation of the Town Council offices over the past year. The improvements have greatly enhanced the working environment and help us to serve the public more efficiently in a comfortable and professional setting. The completion of the front exterior repainting looks fantastic and has really lifted the appearance of the building.”
“The next step will be to repaint and enhance the remainder of the exterior in the coming weeks, ensuring the whole building reflects the care and pride we take in maintaining it.”
Town Clerk John Harrison added: “With the recent repainting of the frontage, the building is looking better than ever and as further exterior works progress, we will continue to make improvements that both serve the community and honour the historic character of The Inglenook.”
The Town Council’s public reception continues to house its resident and visitor information point, which offers a wide selection of leaflets, brochures and guides. These cover local events, nearby attractions, council and community services, safety advice, consumer information and public transport – including bus timetables. The reception also features a new digital display screen showcasing local events and community notices.
