Viva Lewes Issue #150 March 2019

BUSINESS NEWS
Let’s start with the good news: after more than a
year, the building that used to house Santander, at
the top of Station Street, is finally back in action.
Trend-led female clothing chain Oasis, who have
80 stores UK-wide, are opening a ‘Little House
of Oasis’ which promises to be trading in March.
In the meantime there’s a sign in the window:
‘Lewes, we’ve arrived’. Well, Oasis, you’re very
welcome.
It’s bye bye Bunce’s, sadly, with the Cliffe High
Street hardware store suddenly closing at the end
of January. Bunce’s was founded back in 1928, in
Worthing, and the Lewes store was one of a chain
of seven, situated all over Sussex, which have
ceased trading due to ‘cash flow difficulties’.
And there’s another casualty on Cliffe High
Street, with Darcey Sussex Boutique, just down
the road, announcing ‘after an enjoyable and
successful 11 years we are heading to pastures
new’; they shut their doors for the last time on
February 2nd.
Finally, on the closure front, Hartley’s off-licence
went under in mid-January. The company –
which boasts ‘permanently low prices’ – continue
to trade in other branches in Sussex.
On a more positive note, Lewes’ branch of
Steamer Trading has been spared the axe. The
company started up in 1985 in Alfriston – on the
site of the Steamer Inn, hence the name – and
eventually ran 38 stores across the UK. Administrators
were appointed in January, and almost
immediately rivals ProCook acquired 27 stores
– including the branch on School Hill, which will
continue trading with the same staff.
Don’t be alarmed, meanwhile, by the signs on the
boarded-up windows of The Crown Inn, reading
‘Ken Fowler Demolition’. The former coaching
inn – which dates back to the 17th century – is
not about to be razed to the ground. A look at the
Facebook page of the demolition company reveals
that the job in hand is an ‘internal strip-out… for
refurbishment for retail and accommodation’.
Watch this space.
More exciting news from Lewes FC, our
pioneering, equality-minded community football
club. The Rooks are expanding their girls’
football academy, adding Plumpton College to
their existing academy offering with Cardinal
Newman. Girls aged 16-19 train with UEFAqualified
football coaches, headed up by Lewes
FC Women’s manager Fran Alonso, while studying
for A-levels or BTEC qualifications. The
addition of Plumpton College as a partner adds
accommodation options for students, opening
up the academy to elite young footballers from
all over the country – and beyond. The academy
will also open to boys starting in September 2020.
The next girls’ trials for September 2019 entry
take place on Saturday March 9th at the Dripping
Pan. Any girls currently in Year 11 are welcome to
attend: contact academy@lewesfc.com
Finally, a quick heads up about the eighth annual
Lewes Civic Awards, organised by the
Town Council, who are looking for members
of the public to nominate community-minded
Lewesians in the categories of arts, community,
environment, heritage or sports. The deadline for
applications is March 15th [lewes-tc.gov.uk]. AL
100