The Innovation Centre and Rail Station
Hastings' economy is based on the health of its business sector. There are some things, like the state of the global and national economy that we can't influence but there are others, like the need for a skilled workforce, premises to operate from, good transport links, and the availability of business advice and support, that we can. These pages describe everything we're doing to help businesses and the economy in the town.
You might also find the following information useful:
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Sussex Enterprise has launched its own Recession Survival Kit which gathers useful help, advice and resources for businesses in Hastings. Visit www.sussexenterprise.co.uk for further information.
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In addition to our multimillion pound two year programme of grants, we're working closely with our partners at 1066 Enterprise on a number of measures to kickstart our local economy including:
Aimed at residents and businesses, we've published a Credit Crunch area on this site which will be regularly udpated throughout this difficult period.
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Visit our business area for more information about the business rates deferral scheme, available business premises and Business support.
Go to our credit crunch pages for everything from advice on small business rate relief to the latest indicatives from Business Link.
Funded through our Area Based Grants, this offers intensive business support to retain business and jobs in Hastings. Targeted actions will help small and start-up businesses, especially the most disadvantaged parts of the town. For more information on how your business might benefit from this programme please contact us).
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Hastings & St Leonards are important shopping centres for the wider area. The retail sector provides jobs for all ages and skills levels. We need a healthy mix of national chains to ensure consumer choice, alongside local and independent shops that are especially attractive to visitors (as well as being more likely to keep money circulating within the local economy).
The health of the town centre is vital to the health of the town as a whole, and we're running a whole programme of events to help sustain its vitality.
The other shopping areas have their own unique features: the Old Town is an established visitor hotspot, whose health is linked to the wider tourism economy. Central St Leonards is developing its own mix of visitor-focused and local shops. Local centres such as Silverhill, Bohemia and Ore are important too, as the heart of the surrounding community.
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Once, Hastings & St Leonards were the most fashionable of resorts, frequented by royalty and the aristocracy. St Leonards itself was the world's first purpose-built seaside resort (read more about it on our sister site.
Hastings remained primarily a tourist town until the 1960s, but as more and more people were able to take overseas holidays, visitor numbers. Now leisure patterns are changing again. People are looking for short breaks, in places that have their own unique character, different from 'clone towns' and big cities.
They are rediscovering the Tudor heritage in the Old Town, the legacy of James and Decimus Burton in St Leonards, and the public festivals that highlight the summer from Jack-in-the-Green on Mayday, to Hastings Week in October. The Jerwood Gallery will be a flagship for cultural tourists.
Our regeneration efforts to encourage this include a complete transformation of the Stade from a coach park to a vibrant public piazza; encouraging new restaurants, hotels and attractions (and support to existing ones). It is important to market Hastings as a wonderful place to visit and stay, and promote our town as the centre of 1066 Country.
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Environmental goods and services make up one of the fastest growing sectors of the economy. We already have some flagship initiatives such as Marine Stewardship Council certification of our local fishing industry and the Bridge Community Centre.
We aim to make our town a thriving hub for environmental businesses through a range of initiatives including:
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This page last updated: 05/03/2010