High streets in Wealden to benefit from business support to help them thrive
Publish Date: 5 February 2026
Businesses across Wealden can benefit from tailored business support from The High Street Experts visiting them to gain a clear understanding of the challenges they face.
The High Street Experts have been commissioned by East Sussex Growth Hub in partnership with Wealden District Council and East Sussex County Council, to deliver a new, fully funded programme of practical tailored business support for independent retailers and customer-facing businesses across the district.
The High Street Experts have more than 35 years of independent retail and small business experience and continue to run their own businesses alongside this work.
The initiative aims to help businesses step back, refocus and build stronger, more resilient operations during 2026, while supporting the vitality and sustainability of Wealden’s high streets, villages and market towns.
The programme is designed to support businesses as they plan for the future and build confidence in a changing retail environment. It will provide hands-on guidance, helping businesses focus on what will make the biggest difference to their day-to-day operations.
Support will cover practical topics including attracting customers, planning ahead, building an online presence, using social media confidently, creating simple on-brand graphics, improving shop window displays, and setting realistic goals.
Councillor James Partridge, Alliance for Wealden (Liberal Democrat) lead councillor for Governance, Waste & Local Economy and leader of the council, said, “Everyone wants our high streets to be the busy heart of our towns. Our retailers and hospitality businesses are having to adapt to a changing world and often don’t have the time and money to get advice. So, we have arranged for The High Street Experts to offer them bespoke support, advice and practical help so that they can go on thriving and bringing us variety and choice.”
Independent retailers, cafés, hospitality venues and other customer-facing businesses are encouraged to take part. Further information and booking details are available here.
One retailer said, “Thank you, the hands-on guidance and practical tips were exactly what we needed. We now feel much more confident managing our online presence without it taking over our day. We’ve already put your advice into practice and we’re seeing a real difference in customer engagement”.
Notes to Editors:
The High Street Experts have been commissioned by East Sussex Growth Hub in partnership with Wealden District Council and East Sussex County Council, to deliver a new, fully funded programme of practical tailored business support for independent retailers and customer-facing businesses across the district.
Growth Hubs and the Growth Hub Network
Core-funded by DBT and led and delivered by local authorities, the network of 41 Growth Hubs across England provide local businesses with access to advice and support for any stage of their business journey, and are the local delivery partners for the Government’s Business Growth Service. Growth Hubs bring together national and local offers from Government and the public/private sector and, use triage, diagnostics, signposting, brokerage and in-house delivery to ensure businesses find the right support for their needs.
Further information:
Growth Hubs are part-funded by the Department for Business & Trade. They also receive financial and in-kind support from public and private sector partners and deliver national and local business support schemes under contract.
They are the local delivery partners for the new Business Growth Service. Growth Hubs have reported that in the 2024/5 financial year they have provided direct support to over 125,000 businesses across England. Businesses can find their local Growth Hub via www.business.gov.uk or www.growthhubfinder.co.uk