HAILSHAM High Street lost yet another business last month following the closure of Poundland in the town’s Quintins Shopping Centre.
The now empty building joins a growing number of vacant retail and restaurant units in the High Street and Vicarage Field.
The decision to close Poundland comes after the building’s landlord informed the firm they have other plans for the location.
It comes as another small business, JDK Hardware, based on the High Street, has announced it will also close its doors due to ‘rising costs and poor trade’.
President of Hailsham’s Chamber of Commerce, Sam Beale, told Hailsham News: “Although Poundland initially denied the closure, it’s hard to ignore when a property is being actively marketed.
“From what I’ve heard, the issue came down to Poundland and the landlord being unable to agree on new lease terms. My concern is that by holding out for a higher rent, the landlord may have misjudged the market. The unit could now sit empty for a considerable time, losing any potential gains almost immediately.”
He added: “Businesses are being hit from every direction with rising taxes, higher employment costs, reduced footfall, competition from online retailers and out-of-town outlets, and even the ongoing challenge of parking. It’s an incredibly tough environment for small independents to survive, let alone thrive.”
Disgruntled Hailsham residents took to social media to express their dismay at the loss of another business when the news about Poundland, which closed its doors for good on October 29, was confirmed.
Many expressed views that landlords are charging rents too high for businesses to survive.
Sam added: “The Poundland unit, for example, is being advertised at £70,000 per annum exclusive, which is a huge figure for a town of Hailsham’s size.
“When you factor in business rates and all the other operating costs, it becomes an almost impossible equation for most local traders. I do think landlords need to be more conservative in their asking prices if they want sustainability with long-term tenants and a healthy high street.”
In comparison, Mira restaurant, which opened in April but closed just three months later, is being marketed at £27,500 per annum. The former Romeo & Juliet premises, which is soon to be an Indian restaurant, was marketed at £60,000 leasehold. The building which housed Ribs & Co, and later The Spot, is on the market for £380,000 freehold and has been vacant since January 2024.
Sam told Hailsham News: “It’s sad, but Hailsham isn’t alone. Many towns across Sussex are facing similar challenges. Not long ago, Hailsham had one of the highest occupancy rates in the county, but that’s changed quickly. It’s a reminder of how fragile local economies can be.
“I’d love to see more quality eateries and a couple of good bars to help bring life to the evenings. A vibrant social offering helps encourage people to stay in town longer and support other local businesses.”
Hailsham’s Chamber of Commerce is currently in the process of securing funding to install creative window coverings on empty units to help improve the look and ambience of the High Street.
It’s also discussing initiatives to help promote local businesses and increase footfall.
Hailsham News approached a spokesperson for Wealden District Council who told us: “Wealden own a significant number of shops within the town centre, including the whole of Vicarage Field and others on the High Street. Of all our retail properties, we currently only have one vacant unit, which we are working hard to fill.
“Throughout the pandemic, Hailsham, like many of our market towns bucked the national trend at keeping vacancy rates much lower than other places.
“However, conditions for retailers are difficult at the moment and we are aware that other landlords are holding more vacancies in the town. We are working with the Chamber of Commerce and other local organisations to attract and retain more businesses to the town centre.”
A spokesperson from Molyneux Rose LLP, the firm marketing the former Poundland premises and representing the Quintins Shopping Centre, said: “Despite efforts, the landlord was unable to get Poundland to stick to the original terms of a lease renewal as agreed with them several months ago.
“This is despite the money that the landlord has recently spent on a full refurbishment of the shopping centre, which included external and internal decoration, new lighting and signage, rebranding and a state-of-the-art website, all of which will benefit the occupational retailers and shoppers alike.
“Rest assured, the landlords remain totally committed to Hailsham and have already instructed my firm and a local agent to help identify a quality tenant that will be favourable in terms of tenant mix.”
“The unit offers approximately 4000 square feet of sales area on the ground floor, with 3,500 square feet of storage area on the first floor, which could be suitable for another discount retailer or a variety of other uses.
“There is also the prospect of splitting the store into smaller shop units to attract more independent or national retailers.”
