‘Radical’ Burgess Hill community business idea

Robert Eggleston, who is calling for the community to buy out Burgess Hill businesses. Pic Steve Robards SUS-140409-101721001

A political activist, businessman, solicitor and resident of Burgess Hill is pursuing his ‘radical’ idea for residents to own the town.

Robert Egglestone, vice president of Burgess Hill Liberal Democrats who lives on Ferndale Road, wants people living in the town to create a community partnership in which residents own shares, housing and businesses so profits can be reinvested in the community.

He said he would also like to see the introduction of a Burgess Hill pound to encourage trade - similar to that introduced in nearby Lewes.

“It’s a radical idea, but I think it’s got some legs,” he said.

“We need to recognise there is a problem and look to change it, we’ve got to do something really different. The starting point is a system on ownership.”

His plan is for Burgess Hill residents to buy out local landlords and retail estate.

“We could buy out New River Retail and The Martlets. The only way we can have influence on the direction Burgess Hill town centre is to own the town centre itself.

“For example, Orion Cinema, if it closed local residents could put in a bid to make it a designated community asset. Residents can put in a bid to buy establishments.”