July 13 2012.

LDC release:

Lewes District Council is planning to offer residents a range of enhanced services from a new town centre location in Newhaven. The council is currently in negotiation with East Sussex Fire and Rescue Services to share new offices with them and other partners to deliver a range of complementary services to the local community.

Cllr Rob Blackman, Lead Member for Business, Economic Development and Tourism at Lewes District Council said: "We are going to invest £900,000 to make the Council's town centre presence a reality. This is a fantastic opportunity to work with other partners to have a first class facility from which local residents can access a variety of local services. Currently our offices in Fort Road offer a range of housing services, but we want to increase and enhance the services we provide in the future.

"The Fort Road offices are removed from the main town centre and public transport connections and are therefore not suitable for our future plans. We want to make it easier for local residents to access services from a single location. It makes good business sense to share facilities with other partners for the benefit of all.

"In terms of regenerating the town centre, which is a key priority for us, we know that by bringing services people want and need into a central location increases numbers of people using and visiting the town centre, which in turn will encourage new retailers and businesses to come forward with investment opportunities."