FIVE MINUTES WITH… LISA KEMP FROM HAULAWAY

Haulaway is a family-run company and has been established for 30 years in Hailsham. It’s located in Apex Way, on the Diplocks Industrial Estate and specialises in skip hire, recycling and waste management services. We spoke to Office Manager Lisa Kemp to find out her passions for the town and a bit more about the business…

How long have you lived in the area?

I have lived in Hailsham for all my life, this is where my family are from and based. I choose to live here because of my family and friends but also because of its location and the amenities. I think it’s easy to take living in such a varied landscape for granted. We are on the coast but have access to so much green space and woodland and should consider ourselves very lucky in my opinion.

What is it you love about Hailsham?

There are not many towns that can boast of having as many facilities as Hailsham does. We have our own cinema, market, radio station, newspaper and even our own skip company! This is as well as the unique shops, restaurants, and cafés owned and run by local people, with simple benefits such as free parking. Hailsham hosts many

MONKSEY’S MUTTERINGS

events and whether it be the market on a Saturday or an event such as Hailsham Active Run or Hailsham Live, there is always such a good sense of community within the town. I think this is completely down to the people living and working here who care about where they live. Hailsham is also very good at honouring its history and tradition and getting people involved in events.

What do you think needs improving in Hailsham?

It has to be the traffic. Hailsham has so much potential and is almost a victim of its own success as so many people want to visit and travel around the town, but the infrastructure is struggling to cope, especially at rush hour. There is a lot of talk and surmising about how this can be managed and there always seem to be traffic lights along the main routes in and out of Hailsham. But, in my opinion, it feels like a lack of action is being taken to future-proof the town and provide solutions to alleviate traffic problems on and around the main routes in and out.

How do you envisage Hailsham in ten years’ time?

I like to think that Hailsham will be able to maintain its market heritage, although I think Hailsham is still subject to a lot of expansion towards Polegate, Hellingly and Herstmonceux. Hailsham has so much potential, and I am hopeful that improved infrastructure over the next few years will lead to increased and sustained footfall in the town centre. I can see empty shops being rejuvenated continually and Hailsham being a front-runner in local business, getting people to visit the high street rather than going online.