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This newsletter is here to help small and medium-sized businesses across Mid Sussex stay informed, find support and make the most of new opportunities.
In this edition, you’ll find updates on the renewed Mid Sussex Growth Deal, upcoming Economy Team drop-ins, our Future of AI event, free cyber security training, Sussex Six Christmas opportunities for local producers, the STEM Challenge finale, national business updates and a round-up of support, funding and grants available to SMEs.
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We’d love your feedback
Help us shape future editions of the newsletter by sharing your thoughts in our quick feedback form.
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Mid Sussex Growth Deal
In partnership with West Sussex County Council, we have renewed the Mid Sussex Growth Deal for a further five years. The Deal is designed to support a stronger local economy by attracting investment, improving infrastructure, supporting jobs and helping businesses to grow and innovate.
For small and medium-sized businesses, this means a continued focus on creating the conditions for growth across Mid Sussex - from town centre regeneration and better transport links to new employment space, community facilities and opportunities linked to innovation and green growth.
The renewed Deal builds on the success of the previous Growth Deal, which helped secure more than £67 million in public sector funding and approximately £330 million of private sector investment for major projects across the district.
Priorities for the next five years include the Martlets Shopping Centre in Burgess Hill, new infrastructure and community facilities at Brookleigh, delivery of the East Grinstead Town Centre Improvement Plan, sustainable transport and connectivity, and a Science and Technology Park.
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Looking ahead to a Sussex Six Christmas
Following the success of 2025, Mid Sussex District Council are again this year sponsoring Christmas Chalets at the Burgess Hill Christmas Festival, offering chalets to Mid Sussex producers at a discounted rate (50% match-funded).
Taking place from 26–29 November on Church Walk in Burgess Hill, this four-day Christmas Festival organised by Burgess Hill Town Council will feature a daily market alongside a packed programme, including ice rink, walkabout entertainers, theatre performances and craft workshops offering fun for all the family. Local producers can register their interest in securing a discounted chalet by emailing economicdevelopment@midsussex.gov.uk
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Promoting your events
Mid Sussex District Council has a social media following of 21,000 people in the District and we want to use this platform to help promote local events that are happening across the District that can be posted on these channels. If you have an event happening this Autumn, please send it to comms@midsussex.gov.uk and we’ll include this in our monthly guide that will start in September.
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Join us at our next Economy Team Drop-In
The Economy Team returns to Basepoint, Haywards Heath for our monthly drop-in on Tuesday 1 September where we will be joined by Mid Sussex Wellbeing. A member of the team will be on hand to share information about the funded Workplace Health Programme offering free advice and guidance to support you and your staff to make small, realistic changes to improve overall health and wellbeing,
Tuesday 1 September, 10:30-12:30, Basepoint, John de Mierre House, Bridge Rd, Haywards Heath RH16 1UA – no need to book, just drop in!
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The Future of AI Event: New Date 8 September 2026
 Our next FREE event on Tuesday 8 September will explore the need for greater understanding of AI governance, policy and cyber security. We are delighted to welcome three guest speakers who will share their knowledge, practical experience and advice for businesses to navigate the AI landscape safely and effectively:
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Daniel Sykes, Cyber Protect Officer, Sussex & Surrey Police
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Yann Davies, Managing Director and Cyber Security Consultant, ABCOM IT Solutions
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Lars Hyland, Founder, Enlytning
The event will include Q&As and an opportunity to follow up with the speakers one to one and network with other attendees. Join us on Tuesday 8 September 5–7pm in the Council Chamber at Mid Sussex District Council offices, Oaklands Road, Haywards Heath. Light refreshments provided.
Image: Illustration by Sketchology.
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Free Offer from South East Cyber Security Centre
Daniel Sykes from Surrey and Sussex Police is offering specialised Cyber Security training webinars to businesses. Sessions are free and just an hour long, they include a Q&A and are informed by frontline policing experience dealing with known vulnerabilities that cyber criminals exploit.
Sessions are aimed at driving real behaviour change to mitigate Cyber risk as well as connecting you with free resources available to protect your people and your organisation. Strong cyber security is there to facilitate growth, don’t miss out on this free opportunity. Daniel can be reached at Daniel.Sykes1@surrey.police.uk or on LinkedIn.
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Mid Sussex STEM Challenge Finale |
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 On Friday 3 July, six local schools took part in the 2026 Mid Sussex STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) Challenge Finale sponsored by Mid Sussex District Council. For this year's challenge, students were tasked with building a vehicle powered by potential energy.
Entries from six participating schools showcased a range of engineering approaches, including vehicles powered by mousetrap mechanisms, elastic potential energy, and innovative 3D-printed components.
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 The STEM Challenge is supported by Mid Sussex District Council to inspire young people to develop skills in science, technology, engineering and mathematics , helping them build confidence, creativity and problem-solving abilities that are vital for future careers and the local economy.
Mid Sussex District Council would like to thank the STEM Challenge organisers and all the students, teachers, judges, companies and STEM ambassadors who made this year’s challenge such a success.
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Spotlight on Sustainability: Building water resilience
With Ardingly Reservoir reaching alarmingly low levels last year and with recent heatwaves being experienced across the country, now is an ideal time for businesses to explore practical ways to reduce their water use.
Simple steps - such as fixing leaks promptly, installing sensor-activated taps, and opting for drought-tolerant planting - can make a meaningful difference. Collecting rainwater for landscape maintenance, reusing greywater where appropriate, and reviewing cleaning or cooling processes for unnecessary consumption are also effective ways to cut back. Save water in your business | South East Water
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Business rates cut for pubs, clubs and music venues in England: Pubs, clubs and live music venues set to receive a 20% cut to their business rates bills. See full details
Free Domestic Abuse E-Learning for SMEs: Free e-learning resource to help SMEs develop an effective workplace response to domestic abuse.
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SUPPORTING LOCAL BUSINESSES
Below is a roundup of other business support currently available.
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Made Smarter South East is a government-backed initiative helping local SMEs adopt digital technologies to boost productivity, cut costs, and stay competitive.
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Business & IP Centre Sussex is a hub for entrepreneurs to network and attend events. It also provides one to one expert advice and access to a wealth of free information, business databases, market research, company data, and more.
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Landed App is a free, easy-to-use job platform helping Sussex employers connect with local candidates, including college students, for jobs, apprenticeships, and work experience.
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UK Business Climate Hub has been refreshed and relaunched. The hub contains new tools, guidance, and first-hand stories from business owners about how they made changes to improve sustainability and cut their costs.
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Grow Digital Workshop videos are available for you to watch, sharing practical tips and insights to help increase sales, reduce costs, reach new customers and grow capacity.
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University of Brighton Support for SMEs can offer your business the support you need to innovate and grow, as well as increase profitability, explore new markets and / or develop and create new products or services.
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Innovate UK Business Growth provide government funded support for businesses from pre-starts to SMEs with an appetite for scale and growth.
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Business.gov.uk run by the Department for Business and Trade (DBT) has been created to connect you simply and quickly to trusted and impartial support that is often hard to find.
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GOV.UK Chat an AI-powered tool available via the GOV.UK app allows users to ask questions in plain language and receive instant answers drawn from official GOV.UK guidance, helping people including businesses navigate a wide range of services and information.
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Plug-in Van Grant funding is extended to help accelerate the adoption of electric vehicles, including vans, taxis, and motorbikes, offering up to £5,000 for larger vans and £2,500 for smaller ones.
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Boiler Upgrade Scheme provides funding up to £7500 for premises owners (residential or businesses) to install heat pumps or biomass boilers to replace fossil fuel boilers.
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Staying in touch
We encourage you to share this bulletin with your network. Anyone interested in receiving it can sign up here to join the mailing list.
We welcome your feedback and are happy to discuss support opportunities or hear about any funding you’ve accessed through this newsletter, please email economicdevelopment@midsussex.gov.uk to get in touch.
Follow us on LinkedIn for updates and contact the Economic Development team if you have ideas or opportunities to support the local economy.
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