‘Case Study: Hassocks, West Sussex

Hassocks is perfectly placed as the Gateway to the South Downs. Its train and road links to London and Brighton make it the perfect base for a visit to the New National Park.

Need for the project

The project grew out of needs identified in the Hassocks and Hurstpierpoint Economic Action Plan (2005) and the Hassocks Village Action Plan (2003) to provide accessible, clear information for residents and visitors to access the outstanding local countryside without using their cars. Consultation within the community produced recommendations including:

• the need for quality local businesses and services providing for most needs locally
• good quality local transport, including for pedestrians and cyclists
• quality leisure and sports activities for all age groups

Planning the Project

Hassocks Community Partnership and Action in Rural Sussex asked Tourism South East to facilitate a Tourism Development Workshop, which brought 33 of the area's key stakeholders together to identify what Hassocks has to offer and to develop a visitor strategy. As a result, the Visitor Group was formed to develop a visitor programme, which has held a number of meetings and consultations with a wide range of community members to plan this project.

Hidden Britain South East and Action in Rural Sussex have provided support with planning, alongside local volunteers and representatives of the county and district councils.
Volunteer time and expertise is crucial. The group includes a volunteer with a background in tourism marketing who is coordinating marketing, publicity and PR. Further volunteers have developed a PR action plan and taken responsibility for planning a launch event, with a fun family cycle challenge for up to 200 cyclists, a BBQ, some bike taster sessions and much more to get the project going with a bang and plenty of good publicity. Walking and cycling routes have been described by other knowledgeable local volunteers.

A further volunteer is coordinating the finance, administration and infrastructure side of the project. She has been involved with the project as a volunteer developing the business plan and some of the funding proposals. She will now move into a formal part time paid role, including overseeing accounts, reporting to donors and liasing with the joint venture partner as well as completing the business plan with the assistance of a specialist from Action in Rural Sussex.

The Hassocks Community Partnership Chair is overseeing the project and dealing with the complex issues of legal contracts between the various parties and partners involved, including the funders.

Project Outputs :

1. The project will create a new cycle hire facility, which will consist of a wooden building next to the Hassocks Hotel pub, which is in Hassocks railway station car park. The building will house at least 20 hire bikes, including bikes for children and will also offer repairs and maintenance for those with their own bike.
2. 5 cycle routes and 5 walking routes distributed in leaflet format as well as online
3. A new Visit Hassocks website.
4. Cycle racks will be placed on the High Street
5. 4 new map and information boards installed.

Achievements of the Project:

Businesses engaged (17)
The project will run as a joint venture with an existing small business and 2 others are actively involved in supporting the project. Additionally, the local printer/publisher is providing assistance with publicity.

No. of volunteers (est. 25)
In addition to the core of 5 or 6 managing the project, many others are involved in developing, testing and photographing for the routes, developing the website, liaising with the train company and planning the launch event. New volunteers continue to be welcomed.

Skills & training
Local people and businesses benefited from the destination marketing workshop, the coordinator is working on business planning on an ongoing basis with a business planning mentor and the new bike hire employee will receive NVQ level training in mechanics. The project will train at least 2 local people to be able to deliver bikeability safety training in schools and will deliver cycle safety training, basic bike maintenance and cycle fun days in local schools. A new special needs bike will be purchased to allow children who may find other bicycles difficult to use to take part.

Marketing support
The skills that 3 volunteers with professional tourism marketing and PR experience, bring to the project are extremely valuable. In addition to the materials produced, their support, alongside input from Hidden Britain, has already produced local press coverage and it is anticipated that the launch event and other publicity will be key in making a success of the business.

For more on Hassocks please view the destination page »

Facebook »

Flickr »

Youtube »