Boship Roundabout, Lower Dicker, Hailsham - 01323 442667 sussexcountry.tic@wealden.gov.uk

Hailsham - In Domesday, it was Hamelsham - Haegel's home.

Hailsham was granted a charter to hold a market in 1252 by King Henry III. There is currently much controversy over the sale of Hailsham Cattle Market and its redevelopment into a supermarket. The land is currently owned by supermarket chain Aldi who plan to build a supermarket on the site, although the amended planning application was rejected by Wealden District Council in November 2007. Should the market close, the nearest alternatives would be in Ashford or Salisbury, Wiltshire. Local MP Charles Hendry, the National Farmers Union amongst others have spoken out against closure. The Public Inquiry lodged by Aldi against the District Council's decision to refuse planning permission commenced on 11 February 2009 and ended on 19 February 2009. The appointed Planning Inspector now has to consider the evidence presented by all parties and is due to issue a decision the week commencing 23 March 2009. The Aldi chain have now been given the Somerfields site in Hampden Park to develop.

The Quintins shopping centre in the centre of town was opened in the late 1980s and was named after Quintin Hogg, Baron Hailsham of St Marylebone. At the heart of the centre is the Co-op (supermarket). There is a Waitrose supermarket nearby in Vicarage Field, which was previously a Somerfield store. Another supermarket, Tesco, was granted planning permission for a new store on land in North Street. Building work began in 2007 and the store opened on 3 November 2008. The Tesco plans have been the subject of much debate in the town over the past 13 years, with Mayor Nick Ellwood in particular disagreeing with the planned development. Another supermarket, Lidl , also plan to open a supermarket at the new Ropemaker Park development, on the former site of the Marlow Ropes factory.

Hailsham's traditional industry was rope making, which included supplying ropes for public hanging to Great Britain and the Colonies. Presently, light industry survives in two industrial estates to the west of the town, located in Diplocks Way and Station Road.