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A few large businesses have existed in the town during
the past two hundred years, such as rope-making, and cattle feed
mills, but these have now all but disappeared or diminished, in
recent years.
Agriculture and associated rural businesses still take place around
the town and parish, although over the years these have shown a
gradual decrease. More and more of the farmland has been sold off
for housing development and many of the farms have embraced farm
diversification schemes, providing accommodation, in former farm
buildings, for a variety of small businesses . Despite this, however,
farming remains a prominent industry in the area.
Hailsham has several smaller factories, including general and agricultural
engineering, the manufacture and maintenance of pumps, sheet metal
working, printing, and motor vehicle ancillary works.
Two main industrial estates in Hailsham (Diplocks Way and Station
Road) and one at Hackhurst Lane Hellingly, together with several
smaller sites, have been developed since the 1950s, accommodating
and localising the majority of the small manufacturing works and
providing a source of employment for local residents.
However, as available local opportunities fall short of providing
sufficient employment for all of Hailsham’s working population,
a large number of workers out - commute to adjacent towns, and some
to London, either by road, or via the London Victoria rail connection
at Polegate or Lewes.
Employment Agency offices (Jobcentre Plus) are based at Eastbourne,
and there is a Sussex Careers facility at the Hailsham Community
College.
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