New Chamber president has confidence in Uckfield
Uckfield continues to thrive as a commercial centre.
That’s the message from the new president of the town’s chamber of commerce, writes Paul Watson.
Peter Gale took over from Malcolm Diamond at the annual meeting held last month at the Ashdown Park Hotel.
Mr Gale told Business Scene: “I believe that the Uckfield economy is in an increasingly buoyant state and thus far at least seems to be well ahead of last year in many sectors.
“This is evidenced by the comparatively small number of vacant retail premises and the number of new businesses emerging, both start ups and existing traders.
He believes the town has weathered the recession reasonably well and commented: “On evidence available to me, Uckfield has fared fairly well during the recession with fewer business failures than comparative centres.”
Mr Gale hoped that whoever won the General Election will act decisively to do “whatever is required to put the finances of UK plc back onto a more firm basis.
“The indecision of recent months and the information and disinformation on policies which abound in any election run up are very damaging to all businesses which require stability in order to plan effectively. Frankly I just want 6th May out of the way so we can all get on with our business and personal lives,” he commented.
Mr Gale said Chamber members’ main concerns were indecision of government , interest rates, increased employment costs through National Insurance increases, business rate increases and possible Vat rises.
Mr Gale is 59. married with three grown-up children. He has lived in and around Uckfield all his life.
He is a Chartered Accountant and managing partner of Swindells and Gentry in Uckfield who he joined as a trainee aged 16.
“I have, as a result, worked in Uckfield High Street for approaching 44 years and feel I know the town and what makes it tick quite well,” he said.
He first became involved with the Chamber as treasurer in his early 20s and has been close to the chamber and the Uckfield business community through his work.
Mr Gale is following in the footsteps of his late father, jeweller Lew Gale who again was associated with the Chamber through most of his long working life in Uckfield and led it as president.
Sussex Enterprise issues manifesto
Sussex Enterprise has issued its manifesto for candidates standing in the General Election.
In the section for the Wealden Constituency, which covers Uckfield, it says the district has “insufficient levels of infrastructure to sustain the levels of housing proposed in the South East Plan.
“There is also a lack of suitable employment premises (offices and industrial stock) for the area’s projected economic growth – much of the stock needs updating or replacing,” the report states.
“Wealden is the largest and most affluent district in East Sussex and is forecast to grow faster than the other local authorities over the next few years. However, unless there are sufficient qualified and skilled staff and infrastructure to support the projected growth in economic activity, then this potential will be lost.”
*Food businesses in Wealden which are well run and have high hygiene standards will benefit in the coming year from a “light touch” inspection regime by Wealden District Council. Officers will focus their efforts on firms which perform poorly.
The council said: “In the poorer performing businesses we will now spend more time looking in depth at the practices that could lead to problems like unfit food or food poisoning.
“We will ensure improvements are made by following up with further checks and formal action, where necessary, to ensure effective management systems are in place and being followed.”
High hopes for tourism
Tourism businesses in the Uckfield area could be in for a good season.
Research shows that the trend in 2010 is for people to favour the UK as a holiday destination.
Funding helps sustain countryside businesses
Funding for rural businesses in Wealden continues to be channelled into projects which will help sustain businesses in the countryside.
One of the latest to benefit is Hawthbush Eco-holiday Lets and Workshops.
It has received £50,000 to part fund the conversion of three redundant agricultural buildings in Gun Hill into high quality holiday lets, to offer low-impact eco holidays and courses and tutoring, in collaboration with local artists, creative and holistic professionals.
See also:
Uckfield High Street is the place to be
Idea for high speed rail link between Brighton and Uckfield
Potential Uckfield housing sites identified
(Added to site Saturday, May 1st, 2010)
