Grants to boost footfall in 'tired' town centre

Six businesses in Newhaven have received funding to refurbish their shopfronts as part of an effort to increase town centre footfall.

Newhaven Enterprise Zone (NEZ) made £100,000 of grants available in 2024 for businesses in the East Sussex town wanting to improve their property's appearance.

Funeral director Christopher Sarson, whose new company was one of the grant recipients, said replacing his premises windows was "going to be amazing".

"For me personally, as a new business and a new starter, it's very good," he said.

Mr Sarson added that having the grant available could "only benefit the local community".

According to NEZ, a publicly funded business support organisation, it has already awarded grants worth over £38,000 and applications from three further companies are pending.

The organisation said it would add a further £120,000 to the Town Centre Revitalisation Fund in 2026.

Jeremy Taylor, the scheme's grants lead, told the BBC he thought there was "a lot of optimism to be had" about the town centre's future.

"There's no question that anyone who lives in or visited Newhaven probably thinks the town centre's a bit quiet and a bit tired," he said, "but this work will bring it back up."

"You notice when someone spent some time and money on their premises," Mr Taylor added.

Naomi Woods will move her hair salon Naomi's to a new town centre location in the coming months after work part-funded by the NEZ is complete.

She said Newhaven was "a great place to have a business" where "all of the shop owners support each other".

"Hopefully with the help of the grants, it will encourage new businesses to locate within the town and make it a bustling, lively place once again," the salon owner added.

Ben Ruth, the managing director of grant recipient South Coast Residential, said the funding would "make a difference to our brand, our company".

However, he said the High Street was "dying, really" and he was "not really" optimistic for Newhaven town centre, despite the scheme.

The other businesses to successfully obtain a grant so far are Dee's News and Photos, Barwells Solicitors, and Bursa Kebabs, NEZ said.

Companies can receive up to £7,500 but must contribute at least 25% of match funding.

Other town centre projects include a new health and wellbeing centre in Newhaven Square and works at Dacre Road Car Park.

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