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Mid Sussex has one of the most successful economies in the region. With more than 5,000 registered businesses and unemployment levels below 1%, the economy is thriving. Businesses vary in size, with a number employing several hundred people. The majority are, however, small firms, many employing less than ten people. There are also a wide variety of business types, with the service sector being the main employer. 39% of companies are engaged in business services of various types, with a further 11% in administration and related services. 18% are engaged in wholesale and retail, while manufacturing accounts for a further 8%.

The main employment sectors are also service based, with 26% of the workforce employed in public administration, education and health; 24% in distribution, hotels and restaurants, and 23% in banking, financial and insurance services. 11% of the workforce is employed in manufacturing.

The main business centres in the district are the three towns of Burgess Hill, East Grinstead and Haywards Heath. Each has its own particular character. Burgess Hill remains the manufacturing hub of the district but has also attracted a range of high tech and science based industries including leading edge companies engaged in flight and military simulation, computer technologies and telecommunications. There are also some significant office based companies. Major firms in Burgess Hill include American Express, Roche Diagnostics, Time 24, CAE (UK) Ltd, BOC Edwards, Honeywell, HPC Engineering and SEOS Ltd.

East Grinstead has a mixed business base with a number of office headquarter buildings, manufacturing and high tech businesses both in the town centre and on the business estates at Imberhorne, Felbridge and The Birches. Major employers in the town include Goldman Sachs, The Caravan Club and the Open University.

Haywards Heath is the headquarters of the District Council and is the administrative centre of Mid Sussex. It is also a hub for companies in the financial, insurance and business services sectors. Major employers in the town include Europ Assistance, South East Water and Flowserve (UK).

There is also a thriving rural economy with a number of businesses located in villages and in the surrounding countryside, including some in former agricultural buildings.

Mid Sussex is ideally located for business. There are a wide variety of business premises, from prestigious town centre locations to modern business parks. New purpose built business units have been developed recently at Burgess Hill and East Grinstead, with more in the pipeline. Further new commercial development is expected in the future as business site allocations are constructed and as part of the regeneration of the District planned by the Council with its development partners Thornfield Properties plc.

Transport links in Mid Sussex are second to none and are a great benefit to businesses. The A22, A23, A24, M23, M25 and A27 all pass through or close to the District. None of the major business centres is more than a few minutes away from the trunk or primary road network, giving businesses excellent access to markets throughout the region. The District also straddles the London to Brighton mainline rail corridor offering direct connections to London, the southeast and further afield, including to Europe via the Channel Tunnel. Gatwick Airport, one of the world’s leading international gateways, is only minutes away, providing a vital link for the Mid Sussex business community to overseas markets and products. Mid Sussex is also located at the heart of the “Gatwick Diamond”, recognised as a major international centre for business with the airport at its hub, and with great potential for future growth.

The District Council supports the local business community. It has strong links with the West Sussex Economic Partnership, Sussex Enterprise, Business Link and CADIA. It also supports the Burgess Hill Business Parks Association and is keen to help establish similar organisations elsewhere in the District. All these organisations work hard to secure the best conditions for business growth and success in this area. The Council provides direct help to firms seeking premises in the district through its on-line Commercial Property Availability Register, and has published a business directory for Mid Sussex. It also works closely with the education business partnerships and Young Enterprise to help forge links between local schools and businesses. This helps to develop the workforce skills and opportunities needed for business success in the future.