Successful grants programme boosts businesses and creates new jobs
A FUNDING programme has helped boost businesses across Newhaven and create 25 new jobs.
The Newhaven Business Grants Programme offered small and medium-sized businesses grants of up to £15,000 towards projects that would help them grow, innovate and improve productivity.
Funded by UK Government with Local Regeneration Funding secured by Lewes District Council and delivered in partnership by East Sussex County Council, Newhaven businesses were offered grants up to half of the cost of their project.
In total, the programme supported 18 businesses, helped 12 businesses introduce new technology or process and supported 10 businesses to add social value to Newhaven.
Square One Design Workshop was one business to benefit from the grants, which enabled them to purchase new machines allowing them to become more efficient and offset continuing increases in overheads.
Mark Lane from the bespoke furniture manufacturer said: “We applied to the Newhaven Grants Programme as business has to evolve constantly.
“The funding was used to purchase a wide belt sander, a tool that is now critical for our day-to-day operations. This helped us improve product quality, increase efficiency, reduce production time, and enhance overall profitability. Additionally, we are now able to take on more complex and larger-scale projects, further growing the business and supporting local employment.
For Felcon, an engineering and manufacturing business, the money is supporting operational efficiency, new product development and the creation of a new division focussing on standard products.
Paula Ireland said: “The grant enabled us to invest in new equipment that has had an immediate and measurable impact on productivity, consistency, and overall efficiency. This has reduced rework and manual handling, allowing our team to focus on higher-value engineering activity.
“Crucially, this investment supports the development of new products and underpins the establishment of a dedicated manufacturing capability, creating a platform for future workforce growth.”
Cllr Pete Morley, lead member for economy, said: “This grant programme has supported businesses in Newhaven to invest in their future in ways that would not otherwise have been possible, helping to boost productivity, growth and resilience.
“In addition to the direct benefits for businesses and job creation, the programme is playing an important role in supporting wider regeneration priorities. It is helping businesses to remain in Newhaven, strengthening local supply chains, and encouraging investment in the town centre and in community-facing buildings.”
Chris Ketley, Chair of the Re-imagining Newhaven Board, said: “This programme has demonstrated, when we invest in the ambition of Newhaven’s businesses, they deliver.
“The grant funding has helped local companies grow, innovate and generate jobs, all of which contribute to a stronger, more resilient local economy. This has been a truly successful project for Newhaven!”
The Newhaven Town Deal area comprises the commercial and economic hub of Newhaven, stretching across the town centre, the Enterprise Zone, and surrounding key development sites. It is the focus for UK government-backed investment via the "Re-imagining Newhaven" regeneration programme.
Find out more about the Re-imagining Newhaven programme which is delivering 12 projects in Newhaven Re-imagining Newhaven Programme - Lewes and Eastbourne Councils
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Karen Bowles
Thursday, 25 June 2026