Orchards Centre gets more visitors in run up to GAVEL-IT

Independent market research company, Springboard, has reported that the Orchards in Haywards Heath welcomed 3.4 per cent more shoppers last week.

The trend is confirmed by the year on year figures which are up by 3.7 per cent.

The Orchards says that national figures show a drop for the same period, which underlines its success.

Special events have helped attract people to the centre in South Road. They continue next weekend with the inaugural GAVEL-IT event when members of the public are invited to bring along and sell any unwanted items (see more below).

Orchards manager Nicola Bird said: “Thanks to Haywards Heath for its wonderful support, well done to our retailers for making our offer enticing and the Town Team for stepping up the promotion of the town.

“This news will help us attract more new shops to add to our shopping experience.”

Nicola, pictured, added: “We’re determined to make the Orchards the heart of our community and I’m sure part of our success are the fantastic events, such as Strictly Come Gardening and our Bike Ride, to which our residents love coming.

“And, of course, we’ve got our ‘Strongest Man’ competition coming up soon as well as GAVEL-IT on July 20 – which we think must be the first live street auction in the country!”

GAVEL-IT is a live Street Auction on Saturday July 20 from 2pm – 4pm on The Green in The Orchards with an auctioneer.

It is part of the Town Team’s goal to help make Haywards Heath an even better place to live and work as well as to attract more visitors.

You can register your own personal items with a reserve price and, if you pre-register now, they will feature online. The Auction will also include ‘special offers’ from retailers and, towards the end, fresh produce will be auctioned.

More information is available from Nicola Bird on [email protected] or, about GAVEL-IT , from the Town Team website at www.hhlive.org.uk.