‘Radical’ Burgess Hill community business idea

Robert Egglestone, vice president of Burgess Hill Liberal Democrats who lives on Ferndale Road, wants people living in the town to create a community partnership in which residents own shares, housing and businesses so profits can be reinvested in the community.

He said he would also like to see the introduction of a Burgess Hill pound to encourage trade - similar to that introduced in nearby Lewes.

“It’s a radical idea, but I think it’s got some legs,” he said.

“We need to recognise there is a problem and look to change it, we’ve got to do something really different. The starting point is a system on ownership.”

His plan is for Burgess Hill residents to buy out local landlords and retail estate.

“We could buy out New River Retail and The Martlets. The only way we can have influence on the direction Burgess Hill town centre is to own the town centre itself.

“For example, Orion Cinema, if it closed local residents could put in a bid to make it a designated community asset. Residents can put in a bid to buy establishments.”

Mr Egglestone wants to fund the project partly from the New Homes Bonus, resident investment and rent from properties purchased.

“The government has a £250m fund for community partnerships, we could dip into that, we could finance it, and the money would go back into the community, it’s people before profits,” he said.

“We could do something about rising rents, makes businesses more viable, the economy would be independent, we could start up more independent businesses.”

Though Mr Egglestone is a member of the Liberal Democrats, he is not undertaking the campaign as a party member but on a ‘personal crusade’.

“I’m passionate about my concern for the failure of Burgess Hill for the past two decades,” he said.

He is the head of Fair Trade Burgess Hill and has been involved in promoting events, such as a rock competition, in the town.

He continued: “I want to get to grips with regenerating the town centre, of the three towns East Grinstead, Haywards Heath and Burgess Hill, we are the weak link.”

“We could do something about rising rents, we’re discussing car parking or how many cafes and salons there are, but until we run the show we can’t make things happen, we’re dependent on others.”

Under the plan residents would subscribe for shares, appoint management and ‘deliver the best town we can with a community partnership’ whilst accommodating share holders.

Mr Egglestone continued: “Look at the strategy now of local landlords, they do it because it works for them.

“We could decide if we want to attract for property owners from which the landlords can only do something if it fits the bigger strategy.”

“It’s an idea whose time has come,” he added.

The amount of property owned by Mid Sussex district Council is of advantage to the proposal, according to the businessman.

He complained a culture of ‘develop, let, flop, cash in’ from property owners is damaging Burgess Hill.

The project foresees empty retail units would be used for community lead projects.

The introduction of a Burgess Hill pound could encourage money to circulate faster as has been the case in Bristol and Brixton.

To contact Mr Egglestone about the campaign email [email protected] or visit the ‘Take back the town - Burgess Hill’ Facebook page.

What do you think? Email [email protected] with your views.