I keep hearing that the proposed development in the North Street area will decimate the existing town centre, and that all the independent traders in Lewes are sure they will be destroyed by any retail offering there. Odd, as I’m an independent trader myself and don’t agree. Neither do many fellow members of Lewes Chamber of Commerce - a cross section of businesses in the town, including many other independent traders. We’ve recently consulted members about the potential development. We generally believe that it is possible that, given careful planning, the development of the area may well be the making of the town, and Lewes could experience another renaissance similar to that which followed the opening of the bypass and the building of the Eastgate precinct. However, new retail and office space should be as close as possible to the existing town centre, and there should be seamless road and footway links between both areas. We believe that Lewes has an unfilled demand for large, modern retail units. Whilst the town has an unrivalled selection of small, specialist shops, we are confident that the arrival of additional national chains in these new units would allow Lewes to successfully compete with our neighbours. A unique and balanced mix of our independent shops and multiples would place Lewes well ahead of Heathfield and Uckfield and challenge the much larger, but more conventional, retail centres of Horsham, Tunbridge Wells and Crawley.
Lewes should not allow the loss of industrial units and we would like to see alternative and affordable premises created for any displaced companies. A growing and prosperous Lewes town centre could well be destroyed by poor parking provision, however, and it is vital that sufficient parking is provided for visitors and commuters alike.

A fuller version is available by contacting Kate Hook