The Alliance of Chambers in East Sussex
ACES Background
In November 2012 Eastbourne unLtd Chamber of Commerce invited all the chambers and the FSB in East Sussex to decide whether we wanted to work together as a team. The answer on the day was a unanimous “Yes!”
As a result, after an intense meeting the joint chambers agreed five strategic goals to help business grow and succeed in East Sussex:
Agreed Goals
- For business in East Sussex to speak with one voice to influence policy makers with a structured, strategic approach to achieve stated goals.
- Improve road and rail infrastructure and town centres in East Sussex.
- Provide ultra high-speed broadband to rural and urban East Sussex, as a matter of urgency. Close East Sussex mobile ‘not’ spots.
- Promote East Sussex as the place to do business outside London. Develop the coastal, urban and rural tourism offers across the county.
- Develop links between business, schools and colleges to ensure all students develop the skills needed for our businesses. Influence local authorities to provide skills training as required in rural areas as well as urban.
One Voice
For business in East Sussex to influence policy makers For structured, strategic approaches to all local authorities to achieve stated goals.
Infrastructure
Improve the road and rail infrastructure in East Sussex.
To develop sustainable retail centres in our towns.
Connectivity
Provide high-speed broadband to rural and urban East Sussex, as a matter of urgency Close East Sussex mobile ‘not’ spots.
Marketing
Promote East Sussex as the place to do business outside London Develop the coastal, urban and rural tourism offers across the county.
Skills
Develop links between business, schools and colleges to ensure all students develop the skills needed for our businesses Influence local authorities to provide skills training as required in rural areas as well as urban.
Open for Business
ACES was formed to co-ordinate activity across East Sussex and make sure we are seen as a vibrant business destination.
And, as Aristotle said, “The whole is greater than the sum of its parts” so ACES will work with its partners to make sure its stated goals are achieved.
We have held talks with:
- Huw Merriman MP, Nus Ghani MP, Caroline Ansell MP, Maria Caulfield MP and Sally-Ann Hart MP
- Then Chancellor George Osborne about the A27 and Gatwick Airport
- Theresa May and Amber Rudd when they were Home Secretary
- Then Sec of State Chris Grayling about Southern Rail, Gatwick and the A27
- We presented a 1000+ petition about the A27 to the Sec of State
- Gatwick Airport Management
- Previous and current Road and Rail Ministers Paul Maynard, Rob Goodwill and Andrew Jones
- Matthew Hancock, then Sec of State for Business
- Spencer Dale, the Chief Economist of the Bank of England and a member of the Monetary Policy Committee
- Becky Shaw, CEO of ESCC
- Rupert Clubb, the Director of Economic Development and Transport ESCC
- The senior teams at Wealden Dsitrict Council and Eastbourne Borough Council
- The South East Local Enterprise Partnership (SELEP) and the federated body Team East Sussex
- Skills East Sussex, Developers East Sussex and Apprenticeships East Sussex
During these discussions ESCC improved high speed broadband cover from 3% of the county to 96%, and SELEP has started working on a programme to close the ‘not spots’ – where mobile cover fades out on major East Sussex roads.
Funding for Transport
Our successful lobbying has resulted in a £3 million pot to fund a new road study for a better A27 between Beddingham and Polegate. We are also lobbying to extend the improvements to the A21 from Pembury all the way down to Hastings to really open up the economy of East Sussex.
ACES also supports the highspeed railway to Hastings and Bexhill; improving the marsh-link rail line to Ashford and opening up the Uckfield to Lewes line.
Coastal Regeneration
When Londoners decide to visit the seaside for a family day out, they jump in their cars and drive to Whitstable or Brighton as they can be there quickly via the M2 or M23. They don’t visit Hastings or Eastbourne unless they plan to stay overnight. Fast roads and rail will therefore make all the difference to tourism across the East Sussex coast line.
Business in East Sussex
We are working closely with Locate East Sussex, Cobb PR and all ACES members to promote the county as a successful business destination, and we are working with the universities and colleges across the county to ensure that all students are work-ready when they graduate.
If you have any issues or concerns you would like ACES to communicate on your behalf please email info@edeal.org.uk or call Edeal on 01323 641144.
To get support relocating to Eastbourne or East Sussex visit Locate East Sussex.
