By Luke Johnson
WELCOME to the inaugural monthly column dedicated to all things Eastbourne Town Centre.
We’d like to start by expressing our thanks to Paul Gibson and Eastbourne News for giving us the opportunity to keep you informed about all the exciting events and developments coming to our town.
My name is Luke Johnson, and I’m the Operations Manager for Your Eastbourne BID (Business Improvement District). As this is the first column, it’s worth taking a moment to explain a little about what a BID is and how it helps to shape our town.
There are around 300 BIDs across the country, and Your Eastbourne BID was established following a vote of local businesses who wanted to improve the experience of shopping, working and visiting Eastbourne. We are predominantly funded by the businesses within the town. Whilst the Council also contribute (as they have offices here), it’s important to note that we are separate from them and do not provide the statutory services they offer, such as waste collection or street cleaning. Instead, our focus is on enhancing the vibrancy and attractiveness of the town centre.
We’ve been up and running for over five and a half years now, and we’ve already made a significant impact. Perhaps you’ve seen some of our initiatives around town, such as:
The Jubilee street party that brought the community together for a day of celebration
The evening lighting we installed in Little Chelsea, Langney Road, Station Street and, of course, the annual Christmas lights display
The return of the ice rink in 2020 and 2021, (and which we’ve sponsored for the last two years)
Over 60 planters across the town centre that we’ve planted and maintained, brightening up our streets
The Elmer Art Trail we brought to Eastbourne last year, as well as the big screen for the tennis finals at Devonshire Park
Our ambassadorial team, who patrol the town, offering a friendly face to visitors while also helping with stock recovery
In December, we spent over £50,000 on Christmas lights, adding to the festive atmosphere of the town centre. We also hosted a switch-on event with stars from the Eastbourne Devonshire Park Panto, and collaborated with traders in Little Chelsea to put on a Festive Fun and Fireworks night. Thankfully, we managed to avoid the rain and still created a magical experience for everyone.
Looking ahead to 2025, we have some exciting plans in the pipeline. One of our main focuses is to support traders as we navigate two major projects: the pedestrianisation of Victoria Place and the re-paving of Bankers Corner to Halifax.
We understand how frustrating construction work can be, especially when it affects local businesses. That’s why we’re already working with East Sussex County Council to bring together traders and discuss how we can mitigate the impact of the construction phase.
The pedestrianisation of Victoria Place, in particular, is something we’re very excited about. We’ve worked with traders in the area for several years to demonstrate how pedestrianisation can positively affect footfall, and the pop-up park we introduced each summer has been a huge success. This area is a gateway to both the seafront and the South Downs and we believe it should be a space that celebrates both Eastbourne’s natural beauty and its vibrant town centre. While the works are scheduled to take around nine months, we are confident that the result will be a significant and much-needed improvement for the town.
In addition to these major projects, next year we’ll be relaunching our “Love Local, Shop Local” campaign. Despite what you may hear in the media about the decline of the high street, the reality is that Eastbourne town centre is thriving. Our occupancy rate is currently around 94%, which is above the national average. But to keep it that way, we all need to do our part and continue to support our local businesses. Throughout January and February, we’ll be reminding customers of the importance of shopping locally and using the high street. It’s not just about supporting independent shops; it’s about creating a vibrant community where people can shop, eat, work, and socialise.
As we head into 2025, there’s much to look forward to in Eastbourne. We have big plans to continue supporting our traders, enhancing the town centre, and delivering events and initiatives that bring the community together. We’re excited for what’s to come and we hope you’ll continue to support us as we work towards a brighter future for Eastbourne Town Centre.
Stay tuned for more updates in the coming months and thank you for your continued support!
