Council cash available to boost Eastbourne business

East Sussex County Council has allocated the extra cash to help new companies set up or existing firms to expand over the next three years.

Since May 2013, the council has already supported 210 business and hopes the extra funding will fuel a further boost to the county’s economy, following encouraging recent figures from the Office for National Statistics.

One of the local businesses that has benefited from the cash in the last couple of years is the popular Half Man! Half Burger, which opened an outlet in Eastbourne’s Grove Road.

Figures for 2015 – the most recent period for which data is available – show the economy in East Sussex grew by 5.2 per cent, compared to a national average of 2.9 per cent, with 2,790 new businesses starting up.

Cllr Rupert Simmons, county council lead member for economy, said, “We’ve had some really encouraging news on economic growth in the county recently, but it’s important that we don’t rest on our laurels.

“This additional funding will help more new businesses to start up or existing businesses to develop, creating new jobs for local people and helping our economy continue to grow.”

People interested in applying for funding to set up a new business or help an existing business can find more information by emailing [email protected], calling 01273 481476 or online at www.eastsussex.gov.uk/business/developing/finance/grants