About us

Newhaven Chamber of Commerce is a dynamic modern member-led chamber with an increasing membership of local businesses from the Newhaven, Seaford, Peacehaven, Lewes, Brighton and Eastbourne areas. We welcome all types and sizes of businesses from start-ups to established businesses across all sectors as well as other business networking groups and other chambers of commerce.

A not-for-profit organisation, we are a voice for local business, dedicated to supporting the continued success of businesses throughout the local area. We do this by providing valuable networking opportunities for our members on a weekly basis as well as liaising with strategic partners, enterprise groups and the town council. We have strong ongoing links with business support organisations such as the Federation of Small Businesses and the East Sussex County Council.

The Chamber has a good reputation locally for quality networking events and provides an excellent way to keep in touch with the local business community.

Seahaven Business Awards

Newhaven Chamber hosts the annual Seahaven Business Awards. The next event, is on 9 May 2025. Deadline for entries is Friday, 14 March 2025.

Benefits of Membership

Networking events

We have a very successful weekly Breakfast Club and joint networking events with other local Chambers and the Newhaven Enterprise Centre, home to 60 local businesses. We also enjoy regular lunchtime networking with local business groups as well, fundraising events for local charities and social events for members.

Raising your business profile

All members are included in our online Business Directory and there are ample opportunities for increasing awareness of your business both online and in-person. 

Link your business to the Chamber website

Use the Chamber logo to link your business with the Newhaven Chamber of Commerce through your own website.

Bring in new business with member-to-member discounts

You can offer member-to-member discounts, and your business can benefit from other member discounts.

Sponsorship opportunities

Our Seahaven Business Awards offer opportunities to become high-profile sponsors and there are other events during the year which provide similar benefits for local businesses. 

Be part of a bigger voice in Newhaven

We are the ‘voice of business’ and have the ear of the Town Council, District Council and our local MP and we are an independent lobby group and councillors are welcome to attend our meetings.

International Links

Make use of our long-standing international links with Vietnam and Dieppe, France.

Be part of our vibrant expanding town

Newhaven continues with many regeneration projects and new initiatives and has exciting new links with the art world, especially the Towner Eastbourne, and the Sussex Contemporary.

Mentoring opportunities with local schools

Every year we get involved with Seahaven Academy by supporting the employees of tomorrow with mock interviews for years 10 and 11.

Get involved with the local community

There are great benefits to being involved in your local business community and giving back. Supporting and encouraging start-ups, helping young people on their career or skills pathway, or sharing information and business knowledge with other local companies. 

Membership costs just £99.00 per year. If you are planning to attend the breakfast club regularly you can pay by standing order which is £45 per month. Alternatively, you can book weekly via Eventbrite. 

It is very easy to join the Chamber. Please download, and fill in the form and pay by BACS , email the Chamber office for further details or phone 01273 517544. 

Chamber Committee 2024/25

President: Mike Shorer, Mike Shorer Fine Jewellery 

Vice President: Annie Lorys, EEBS Translation

Secretary: Shell Rees, Be Well with Shell.

Treasurer: Helen Macauley

Committee Member: Julia Johnson, Fine Marketing 

Committee Member: Paul Boswell, Meeching Estate Agents

Committee Member: Jackie Gillepsie, Simpsons Solicitors

Committee Member: Karlah Dormer, Utility Warehouse

Committee Member: Steve Garrioch, Leather4Craft

The Newhaven Chamber of Commerce is a not-for-profit organisation, run by the members for the members and is led by an executive committee, which is chaired by the President and has a number of other members.

Membership of the executive is made via application, once an ordinary member has been an ‘active’ member for at least one year and meets the advertised role specification.

Chamber members vote in the executive committee member at the annual general meeting (AGM) or are co-opted if a vacancy arises until the AGM. Membership of the working groups is based upon relevant professional experience and again an application process is required.

The Chamber’s day-to-day business is managed by the Chamber President and secretary. 

All executive committee members are voluntary and non-paid positions where business representatives give their time in-kind.