New cafes and pubs inject life into 'dead' town

New pubs and restaurants have been described as a boost to Newhaven - though some residents still feel more needs to be done to improve the town centre.

Newhaven Enterprise Zone has welcomed an influx of new hospitality businesses to the East Sussex fishing town.

Programme director Corinne Day said there are still some empty business units in the centre, but the aim is to encourage ferry passengers and other visitors to "park up and spend their money in the town".

Some residents said it is hard to buy what they need in the high street and described it as "dead".

Ms Day said: "We have been investing in the town to raise aspirations and try to change perceptions because if people don't feel good about the place they won't want to come here.

"The cafes and restaurants opening are a sign of all that hard work.

"I hope people in Newhaven are seeing the change, a declining town centre when you've had that history takes time to bring back again."

Enterprise zones were set up by the government in 2012 to offer business incentives, such as rate relief and simplified planning.

Newhaven Enterprise Zone, which started in 2017, says the local retail sector is still an issue.

"We're trying to address that by different types of uses in the town centre so we don't have empty units," said Ms Day.

The businesses which have opened recently include Harvey's pub The Bridge and Mamoosh Riverside, which moved into a new unit near the swing bridge, while the Seaford Piggery has expanded its business in the High Street.

Work also started recently on a new restaurant and play area on West Quay Beach, underneath Newhaven Fort, and an art trail.

Ms Day said: "We have a big art trail around the town, it's made the town feel more vibrant again.

"We have more visitors coming and seeing it. I think that's one of the reasons why we have more cafes and bars opening now because they see more people coming to the town."

Residents had mixed feelings about how the town centre is coping.

"You can't buy anything here, it's dead", said resident Jacqueline Wiltshire.

"You used to have everything here, a supermarket and proper butcher shops. Now you have to go out of town to buy anything."

Rick Sharpe, another resident, said there are signs the town is growing again.

"There have been several shops and pubs open," he said. "It's a very good community here and I love it."

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