Over fifty business people attended the Annual General Meeting and dinner held at the Manor Barn, Bexhill-on-Sea. Mr Nigel Evans MP, Deputy Speaker of the House of Commons and John Walker, the National Chairman of the FSB, addressed the dinner. Vice Chairman of the County Council, Matthew Locke and the Mayor of Bexhill Stuart Wood, also attended.

Regional Chairman, Lord Brett McLean, reported upon a successful year including a year of lobbying of MPs and local Council leaders, the establishment of the South East Local Enterprise Partnership and an influx of over £10 million to the County for superfast broadband.

  

Over a difficult economic year, East Sussex had consistently posted above national average figures for membership retention and was signing up businesses at a rate of 55 per month.  

 

With membership pushing on to 5,000, it was hoped the FSB's campaign to champion ‘Real-Life Entrepreneurs' would add an extra boost.

 

Members also enjoyed a trip around Bexhill on a 1928 trolleybus and were informed of the seafront developments around the De La Warr Pavilion. 

Pictured on the trolley boss (right) are from the top: Brett McLean, John Walker, Nigel Evans MP and Councillor Matthew Locke.

Lord Brett McLean commented: "We are looking forward to the new seafront developments being ready for the spring and summer tourist season.  The fresh new look and emphasis on the arts in Bexhill we hope will be a major visitor draw to the town in 2012."