Mayor opens new tattoo studio in Hailsham town centre

The Mayor joined staff to declare Smokin' Aces officially open for business and was among a small number of people to explore the new shop located in The Mews Shops in George Street.

Cllr Paul Holbrook, who opened the Smokin' Aces studio said: "I am delighted to have been asked to open the new tattoo parlour and it's wonderful to see enterprising people continue to set up businesses in our town. We have an increasingly vibrant town centre and the opening of Smokin' & Aces is a great addition! I wish the business every success in the future."

Smokin' Aces is just one of a string of new shops opened by the Town Mayor in the town during the past two years. Other businesses recently opened include Aesthetics 4 You, Knitty Gritty and Raystede charity shop in the High Street; Sweethearts Party Boutique, Monkey King Games, Luxury Nails SF and Lyons Electrical in George Street; Belle's Pottery Studio & Cafe in Station Road; Happy Paws, Shelly's, Burton's Solicitors and Sjaan Dance Academy in St Mary's Walk, Angela Marden Estate Agents and Vape Minds Express in North Street, Bijou Brews in the Quintins Centre and Sweet Tooth, Halsham Barbers 2 and The Laurel in Market Square.

The recent opening of new businesses has helped considerably towards there currently being a small number of empty retail units in the town centre, figures which compare very well to current regional and national averages.

Deputy Town Clerk and Business Enterprise Manager Mickey Caira said: "The percentage of vacant commercial units in Hailsham currently falls below the current regional and national averages, which is excellent news for the town. Hailsham is the place to be and there has been a marked improvement in the number of empty shops in the town centre which has fallen considerably this year, as the local economy finally recovers from the effects of the coronavirus pandemic in 2020 and 2021."

"We're pleased to see such a variety of new businesses open in Hailsham and are delighted that business owners recognise the town's potential. Both the Town Council and Hailsham Forward (Town Team) have been working hard to raise Hailsham's profile as a shopping and eating destination, and we hope this is just the beginning of the town's growth over the coming years."

"Not only is it excellent to see Hailsham's offering strengthen with these new businesses bringing something unique to complement the existing businesses already lining the town centre streets of our market town, but it's essential that business owners - particularly independent proprietors - continue to collaborate to establish a strong community which helps to establish a sense of place for Hailsham and ultimately attract new visitors."

Delighted to see Hailsham's business activity strengthening and hoping to see even more new businesses open in the future, Cllr Holbrook added: "The Town Council and Hailsham Forward have key priorities to work with local businesses to deliver plans to help address the issue of empty shops further and work towards a 100% occupancy rate for retail and business units."