Eastbourne is one of the fastest-growing seaside towns in the country.
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Digital Eastbourne
Eastbourne is the tech hub of East Sussex, with fast growth and expanding businesses that have already been impacting the make up of Eastbourne.
A platform of opportunity, the town has in recent years since a boom within the digital economy, enabling collaboration with investment and engagement from local government and education partners to support this burgeoning sector. Punching above its weight, Eastbourne has upgraded its structure to allow for better interconnectivity and international collaboration.
With the benefit of close proximity of Brighton and London, but with a lower cost base and a greater work/life balance for both businesses and digital nomads who work across over 100 different international companies.
300% increase in Computing, IT and Telecom Jobs in the last ten years
Creative Culture
Officially a 'creative hotspot' according to the innovation charity Nesta, the town has double the average growth of the creative industries and four times faster than the UK. Already home to 300+ creative businesses and employing 900+ people, the sector continues to grow with a variety of local media-based educational courses producing a wealth of talent ready and waiting for the right opportunity.
The Towner Art Gallery showcases the latest developments in modern and contemporary art and heads up the rejuvenated cultural quarter of the town. The £54 million transformation of Devonshire Park has put Eastbourne on the map as a top cultural, sporting, and conference destination offering first-class facilities for both residents and visitors.
Eastbourne unlocks £19.8m to strengthen visitor economy
In 2021 Eastbourne Borough Council received £19.8 million investment in the town from the government’s Levelling Up Fund.
The funding will support an ambitious scheme to link town centre regeneration and revitalise the visitor economy with:
£7,623 million ... to convert Victoria Place into a vibrant, pedestrianised cultural district, including new green energy infrastructure, with awnings, lighting and heating; with excellent independent cafés and restaurants serving high quality, locally sourced food and drink all year round, also developing a night-time economy. £11,186 million ... to create a world-class culture and education centre at Black Robin Farm, a former dairy farm set on the Downs above the town, connecting the SDNP with the town centre and seafront and providing a new destination for around 100,000 visitors per year, space for new businesses and work placements for young people during both the construction and operational phases. £1,037 million ... investment in the Towner’s Centenary project, creating a number of legacy public artworks across the town that will provide an arts trail connecting the seafront, town centre and South Downs National Park (SDNP), as well as enhancing gallery facilities to support the education and outreach programmes that will engage strongly with some of Eastbourne’s most disadvantaged communities.
Find out moreSpace to expand
Manufacturing in Eastbourne
With the largest manufacturing base in East Sussex, Eastbourne's industrial estates have a diverse range of manufacturing and engineering companies that call East Sussex home.
Creating over £130m of export demand, growing year on year and over £400m in investment.
Eastbourne is able to achieve growth for companies with many companies seeking investment to expand and develop their business alongside a great work force and travel access links.
Who's here?
Switchplane
Software development firm that helps businesses save time and money by building them custom software and SaaS solutions, working across many sectors to help businesses with administration, finance and other processes.
Read their story
Lightening Fibre
Community-focused network builder and internet service provider, bringing ultra-low latency, multi-gigabit-symmetric-capable full-fibre broadband to homes and businesses in East Sussex.
Read their story
Gardners Books
Britain's leading wholesale book, DVD, CD & Vinyl distributor with the largest in-stock catalogue in their UK 350,000 sq ft warehouse.
Zoonou
One of the leading software companies and largest software testing labs in the UK. 250 tablet, mobile, VR set and wearables.
Devonshire Collective
A creative and cultural hub in Devonshire Ward with studios, maker spaces, gallery and cafe for artists, community members and the wider public.
Cohub
Co-working space Cohub is a hive of activity and regular meetups like #DigitalDrinks. Members start, run and work in businesses at all stages.
Cyclr
Named one of the Top 50 Innovative UK Tech Companies by Creative England. Cyclr is a cloud-based app that connects software and services to enable integrated and automated business processes.
The Works
Modern coworking space with added benefits of community, business support options, and a downstairs cafe for users to meet and relax.
Urban Industry
Owner and director of Urban Industry Dan King founded the store in 2002, now a multi-million-pound contemporary streetwear, sneakers and accessory ecommerce business.
TechResort
TechResort is a community interest company helping to make Eastbourne a great home for digital, tech and creative business by helping to unblock barriers to growth.
Dobell
Global online men's formal clothing company designs and sells thousands of own-brand suits alongside designer labels.
Picross
International precision engineers offering a complete development and manufacturing service, producing the highest quality components.
Brewers
Opened over 100 years ago in Eastbourne, this family-run decoration business now hosts 50 outlets UK-wide, supplying professionals with paint, decorations and tools as 'the decorators's choice'.
West End Studios
International experiential marketing company working with the latest technologies. Employ a 40-strong team and a total in-house production.
Zunoma
Security Print & Digital Transformation Experts with over 75 years of experience in providing a comprehensive range of security print features using innovative and technological solutions.
Identity
Identity puts experience at the forefront by combining user and customer experience to create authentic ‘human experiences’ in its events.
LED-UK
Helping businesses across the South East to save on their electricity bills with LED lighting, sensor technology and modern fittings.
Case Study Spotlight
Booksy – Major App in Eastbourne’s Heart
Booksy, an international health and beauty appointment software company, has recently raised over $70m in private and venture capital funding. Striving to become a household name from their UK headquarters in the centre of Eastbourne. Booksy has grown from a small start-up to a fully-fledged scale-up with year on year growth.
Learn more here