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boosted further with the addition
of the Bexhill and the Eastbourne
Innovation Malls.
East Sussex has a population
of 527,000 residents, over a
quarter of whom are qualified to
a university degree or higher,
partly due to the location of the
two universities.
Levels of self-employment in
East Sussex are high which
indicates a potentially higher
than average number of
entrepreneurs with whom to
roll out new business ideas.
East Sussex
investment opportunities –
Growth Corridors
The County Council has
identified three Growth Corridors
in East Sussex that provide
potential for significant jobs
and housing growth.
Hastings and Bexhill
Growth Corridor:
This focuses on the coastal
urban centres of Hastings and
Bexhill, extending northward up
the A21 towards London, and
eastward along the A259 leading
towards Rye, Ashford and the
Channel Tunnel and the Channel
Ports. This area includes the
Bexhill to Hastings Link Road
currently under construction,
and the potential offered to
business by the granting of
‘Assisted Area Status’ (see
below). The corridor connects
the town centres and seafronts
of Bexhill and Hastings, through
to Rye. Over recent years there
has been significant regeneration,
some centred around the cultural
attractions including the De La
Warr Pavilion, the Jerwood
Gallery and major investments on
the Bexhill seafront, and ongoing
in respect of Hastings Pier.
There are many investment
opportunities on, or close to,
the A21, for commercial, leisure
and housing uses. In Hastings,
these include commercial
developments at North Queensway
and the Priority Quarter Business
District in Hastings town centre.
Rye Harbour in Rother already
has a strong manufacturing base,
and there is opportunity for
strategic housing and commercial
development in North East Bexhill.
The Bexhill to Hastings Link
Road, due for completion in
May 2015, is expected to provide
a major economic boost to
the area, bringing in around
£1 billion of investment, with
the creation of 2,000 new homes
and 3,000 new jobs. It will see
the development of 42 acres
of land in North East Bexhill
including a 50,000 square
metre business park. It will
also reduce traffic congestion
between Hastings and Bexhill,
making the area better for both
business and residents.
Eastbourne - South Wealden
Growth Corridor
This area straddles Wealden
District and Eastbourne Borough
and features Sovereign Harbour.
The A27 corridor is important to
linking these areas with the A23
and M23 corridor, and London.
East Sussex works for
business. A number of
high-value and distribution
businesses have
successfully made East
Sussex their HQ.
As a business location,
East Sussex hosts a diverse
range of world class companies,
including manufacturing and
engineering, specialists in
vacuum, industrial pumps,
renewable energy and optics.
There are a growing number of
companies involved in digital
and creative media, scientific
instruments, linguistics, the care
sector, as well as financial and
professional services. Companies
in these sectors and their supply
chains all benefit from a committed
and skilled workforce.
There is a wide range of
commercial property at
affordable prices in East Sussex
for start-ups, growing small and
medium enterprises (SMEs) and
large companies. The county can
offer over 1 million square feet of
new, high standard property with
premises for all types and sizes
of business. From bespoke
headquarters to serviced offices,
and from workshop space to
specialised technical facilities.
The business incubation centres
in the region, including the
Sussex Innovation Centre, provide
space for supported start-up
businesses giving them a chance
to grow, develop and network.
Facilities for innovative businesses
in East Sussex are soon to be
The Economy of East Sussex
East Sussex Business Guide & Directory
