Hailsham Forward (Town Team)
Hailsham town centre, like many town centres, has seen much change in recent years. It has a number of empty shops but the number is slowing falling and is below the national average. Hailsham will, however, continue to grow over the next 20 years.
The Hailsham Forward partnership was born out of the Mary Portas Vision for revitalising town centres. Hailsham Forward is a Town Team partner and has received funding from the Government, East Sussex County Council, Wealden District Council and Hailsham Town Council to undertake projects to improve the business community in Hailsham.
The Partnership is made up of many local people and organisations including the local Chamber of Commerce, Federation of Small Businesses, as well as local Councils and the Member of Parliament for Wealden.
The Partnership is working on a number of projects, as detailed on the Hailsham Forward CIC website.
Movement and Access Strategy for Hailsham and Hellingly (MASHH)
The Movement and Access Strategy for Hailsham and Hellingly (MASHH) was created and is used to inform East Sussex County Council (and Wealden District Council) about the transport infrastructure required in Hailsham and Hellingly to support developments recently constructed and future development as part of the Wealden District Council Core Strategy.
For more details visit the East Sussex County Council website: www.eastsussex.gov.uk
Buy Local
Shopping locally supports our local economy in a number of ways:
Better For The Environment
If you shop locally, you reduce the need for use of your car or even public transport to buy your groceries and other shopping items. Furthermore, if there is a local growers’ market, you can purchase many organic and environmetally friendly goods and reduce energy-wasting long hauls into the bargain.
Save Money On Your Shopping Bills
With ever increasing fuel prices, you are encouraged to refrain from using your car whenever possible, shop local and save money in doing so. Additionally, shopping at a local produce market effectively cuts out the middleman, therefore reducing (long haul) transportation costs.
Build A Sustainable Community
Research has shown that money spent locally remains in the local economy, through wages paid to local employees and products and services purchased from other local businesses. In turn, shopping locally contributes significantly to the overall development of the economic base of the community.
Hailsham Street Market
Regular markets are a vital component of town centres – especially in market towns such as Hailsham – bringing customers into the town whilst offering excellent business opportunities to local traders.
By supporting local producers, growers, suppliers and offering them the opportunity to sell locally, Hailsham Street Market is an ideal way of showcasing the diverse range of products available in our town.
FULFILLING OUR ROLE AS A MARKET TOWN…
Being a traditional market town, a regular street market in the town centre is an essential part of our town’s regeneration. Hailsham Street Market is a very traditional kind of mix and its main objective is to supplement the built retail environment and help increase footfall in the town centre. So, why not come down to the market and support independent local trade!
NEW/RELAUNCHED STREET MARKET…
Hailsham Street Market will return to Vicarage Field in the town centre from July 2026.
The market takes place from 9.30am to 1.30pm on the last Friday of each month, running from March through to September. The Council anticipates that this schedule will give residents a regular opportunity to browse local produce, artisan goods, crafts, and a variety of independent businesses, while also enhancing the town’s community atmosphere.
We encourage all interested stallholders to get involved. It’s a great opportunity to showcase your products to the community, connect with customers, and be part of a long-standing Hailsham tradition.
For further information or to book a pitch (£10 fee), please contact the Town Council on 01323 841702 or email us.
RECENT BLACKMAN’S YARD MARKET TRIALS…
A series of trial markets took place at Blackmans Yard in Spring 2026, across a ten-week period. The markets ran from 9am to 1pm on selected Fridays.
The trial formed part of a broader initiative to refresh Hailsham Street Market, widen the range of stalls and strengthen its role as a focal point for the community. Recent events showcased local produce, artisan foods, handmade crafts and clothing among other goods.
HOW TO BOOK A STALL…
Hailsham Street Market has a flexible structure in place to offer opportunities to stallholders who are unable to commit to hiring a stall at every market event.
We welcome back all returning traders and would like to hear from anyone interested in becoming a market stall trader at Hailsham Street Market.
To book a stall please call 01323 841702 or email markets@hailsham-tc.gov.uk for more information.