Heathfield Enterprise Centre
The Heathfield Partnership has long had an objective to set-up an enterprise centre to create incubator units for start-up businesses in Heathfield. We secured a promising site in the centre of the town and made bids for grants for us to make the renovation changes. The changes were designed by a local architect and we were indeed successful in securing the funding. This would have facilitated 10 units in the first phase and a further 12 in the second phase. Business tax arrangements were agreed with Wealden District Council and these were very helpful. Marketing and banking advice was made available for our new tenants which also would have been of major importance to start-up businesses. Superfast Broadband was being delivered at the same time to the centre of Heathfield and so all looked set for a great success. Building inspectors, however, made considerable demands on the conversion of the ground floor first phase, way beyond our budgetary limits and the project has stalled. The site in question has been sold to an alternative bidder on a larger scale offering significant job opportunities.
It remains the objective of the Partnership to reinvigorate the project and we will report on our investigations as and when we can make some progress.
Updated: April 2015
Heathfield Incubator Units and Heathfield Works!
PRESS RELEASE FROM EAST SUSSEX COUNTY COUNCIL:
PR 3776
07 February 2013
For Immediate Release
County Council provides £1m rural growth boost
Rural businesses and organisations across East Sussex are set to benefit from a massive £1m funding boost thanks to the County Council.
Nine projects put forward by businesses, organisations, groups, a college and a local council have had their grants approved through the County Council's Rural Growth and Employment Fund (RuGEF).
The grants and loans amount to over £1m and will be used to help set up new businesses or expand existing ones, create new jobs and support training.
Councillor Matthew Lock, lead member for economy said: "I'm delighted that we've approved funding for the first batch of rural businesses and organisations. We said we could provide direct help and now we're making good on the promise.
"It's all part of our £6m economic intervention fund designed to help business and boost our local economy.
"More RuGEF funding will be made available later next month and other grants for businesses are also on offer so I would urge firms to get in touch."
The nine projects that have been approved (subject to contracts being signed) are:
Beautiful Design & Print (Bexhill) - printing equipment to expand the business.
The Fletcher Centre in Rye - to help develop a cinema and entertainment centre in Rye.
Princes Trust - enterprise training and support for young people in rural districts.
Tomorrow's People - Heathfield Works! - for two years to support young people not in employment, education or training to develop skills and move into work.
Tomorrow's People - Hailsham Works! - to set up and run for three years a new project in Hailsham to support young people not in employment, education or training to develop skills and move into work.
The Heathfield Partnership - to help convert a town centre building into business units.
Lewes District Council - enterprise and apprenticeship support scheme.
Plumpton College - equipment to offer training and resources for dairy and forestry/woodland industries.
Kitchenham Farm nr Battle - towards business park expansion at Pebsham Rural Business Park.
To see how we can help your business
visit our website at:
www.eastsussex.gov.uk/business or email us at: economicintervention.fund@eastsussex.gov.uk
or telephone (01273) 482205.
For further information please contact:
Martin Fitzgerald
Tel: 01273 481691
Out of hours: 07974 427569
Email: martin.fitzgerald@eastsussex.gov.uk