Lewes District
Choose Lewes
The district that has a thriving economy with a rich heritage, strong community spirit, natural beauty and outstanding opportunities
People and businesses choose Lewes District for its rich and varied heritage, natural beauty, diverse arts, cultural scene and thriving towns. With over half of Lewes District lying in the South Downs National Park, chalk cliffs, unspoilt beaches, tranquil open spaces and beautiful countryside are plentiful.
Most of the District’s 93,900 population live in the four main urban areas Seaford, Newhaven, Peacehaven and Lewes. The District is home to iconic buildings such as Lewes Castle, Newhaven Fort (a scheduled ancient monument), and Glyndebourne opera house, as well as brands including Harveys Brewery. A haven for entrepreneurs and large as well as small-scale enterprises.
The District includes varied economies – rural, coastal and urban. Lewes District extends inland from the coast over the South Downs and into the Sussex Weald covering 292 square kilometres. The town of Lewes is known for its radicalism and creativity, evident in its infamous bonfire night festivities – the biggest celebrated event of its kind in the world, which transforms the usually peaceful town into a carnival of energy, colour and celebration. Lewes launched its own currency to support its independent retailers and preserve the distinctive ‘feel’ of this unique town.
Located nearby Gatwick and Brighton, Newhaven Port based in Lewes District acts as the international economic gateway of East Sussex.
Choose Lewes: A Makers Economy
A surging hotbed of makers and crafts, Lewes is home to an international community of artists, designers and makers passionate about sustainable design and architecture, and has the highest number of registered creative businesses in East Sussex.
From blacksmiths to artists, Lewes District hosts a wide variety of multi-disciplinary companies and sole traders who have the skills and talent to create successful, award-winning businesses.
With a specialisation in creative joinery, Lewes District has seen the rise of bespoke builds from furniture to kitchens all the way to modular building construction such as Boutique Modern.
Artwave is the annual festival of artists and makers from Lewes, Seaford, Newhaven and surrounding villages. Open to all, it makes an inclusive, accessible and diverse experience for those taking part and visiting.
Space to Expand
Newhaven Enterprise Zone
With opportunities for bespoke development, business rate relief and no pre-application charges for planning enquiries, Newhaven is a place with great potential for businesses to succeed.
Newhaven offers substantial physical capacity for growth. Comprising eight sites, Newhaven Enterprise Zone covers approximately 79 hectares, offering space to house the region’s expanding high-growth businesses and excellent access to domestic and international markets.
London is just 90-minutes away by train and Brighton is only 30 minutes by car or train.
Newhaven is home to a growing and diverse economy with an emerging specialism in innovative, high-value growth sectors including offshore wind and marine engineering. Alongside this emerging specialism, Newhaven is also home to a large number of creative industries and innovative manufacturers.
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