Coast2Capital

You are here: News

Lewes District joins Coast to Capital!

Monday, 31 October 2011 10:58

Press Release

Press Release No: 18

Date: 31 October 2011

Lewes District joins Coast to Capital!

Coast to Capital Local Enterprise Partnership is very pleased to confirm that Lewes District Council has joined the partnership.

In a letter to Chairman John Peel, Mark Prisk MP and The Rt Hon Greg Clark MP confirmed ministerial support for the inclusion of Lewes within the Coast to Capital Local Enterprise Partnership.

The inclusion of Lewes, to our East, will enhance and provide additionality to the coherent economic area of the Coast to Capital LEP. Lewes has existing economic links with Brighton, Gatwick, Croydon and London, and strong existing partnerships including membership of the Brighton & Hove Economic Partnership (one of the five area partnerships in the LEP). There are strong links in a number of sectors, including marine, around the ports of Shoreham and Newhaven, and of particular strength is its visitor economy.

The Coast to Capital Board agreed unanimously the district's proposal for inclusion. This proposal has the support of businesses within Lewes district, for which connections, in terms of workforce and business networking in particular, are strongest within the Coast to Capital area. The proposal is that Lewes becomes an area of 'overlap' between the South East LEP, of which the district currently forms a part, and Coast to Capital.

John Peel said, "Inclusion of Lewes District in the Coast to Capital LEP will strengthen business relationships and enhance opportunities for delivery of our twin focus on enterprise and international trade. Inclusion will also provide a skilled workforce, land and space for businesses to grow, and complementary facilities at Newhaven Port to the existing hubs at Gatwick Airport and Shoreham".

Already strong history of partnership working, especially on rural development has been evident across Sussex (East and West) for a long time. The relationship has been strengthened by the designation of the South Downs National Park.

Councillor Tony Nicholson, Leader of Lewes District Council said "We are delighted to join the Coast to Capital Local Enterprise Partnership. Many of our businesses look west to Brighton & Hove, or north up the A23/M23 and the railway to Mid-Sussex, Gatwick and London. We want to work with Coast to Capital partners to exploit these links, for the benefit of local firms in Lewes District and, as a consequence, create wider benefit to our entire community".

Louise Goldsmith, Leader, West Sussex County Council said, "The opportunities this presents to West Sussex and Coast to Capital for economic development, regeneration and job creation, particularly in relation to the ports of Shoreham and Newhaven is very exciting. I know employers in Lewes are keen to start working across the Coast to Capital area that will bring more diversity to the partnership".

... ends ...

Notes to editors:

Lewes District Council (LDC) is one of a small number of authorities in the country that are in more than one LEP. LDC will remain with South East LEP as well as Coast to Capital.
Lewes District Council are already members of the Brighton & Hove Economic Partnership. As such, LDC will be represented on the Coast to Capital Board by current members Phil Jones and Steve Allen.
You can find photos here: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Coast-to-Capital-LEP/224821804232225

For press information contact:

Gary Rustell, Communications & Engagement - Coast to Capital LEP