January & February Newsletter 2026
- Jane Brook
- 3 days ago
- 8 min read
Welcome New Members
Rye BID
No doubt all of you have read the news by now but to recap for those who may have missed it - the postal ballot to determine the outcome of the proposed Business Improvement District for Rye was conducted by Civica Election Services on behalf of Rother District Council between 15th January and 12th February, with the results announced by Lorna Ford, returning officer for RDC at the Kino in Rye on Friday 13th February at 4pm.
Of the 290 businesses eligible to vote in the ballot, 179 actually cast their votes. In order to be successful the proposed BID campaign needed to achieve two majorities:
majority of yes votes and
majority of rateable value
It failed to achieve the majority of yes votes so the electorate determined that Rye will not become a business improvement district.
On hearing the news the Rye BID Task Group chair, Matt Breckon (MD of the Kino) said:
“The result of the Rye Business Improvement District ballot has now been declared, with businesses voting not to proceed with the establishment of a BID for the town. While this outcome is naturally disappointing, the BID process is designed to be open, transparent and democratic, with the final decision resting with the business community through an independent ballot. The businesses of Rye have expressed their collective view, and we fully respect that decision. The focus should now be on considering alternative ways in which we can continue to support and strengthen our town.
On behalf of the Task Group, I would like to extend sincere thanks to the Rye Chamber of Commerce, and to Sarah and Jane, for securing funding for this process through the Levelling Up Partnership. The Chamber is, in turn, extremely grateful to Rother District Council officers, Anne Rathbone and Thomas Fitzgerald, for their guidance and stewardship over the past 18 months. We also thank Returning Officer Lorna Ford and the Electoral Services team at Rother District Council for administering the ballot with professionalism and diligence.
We are very grateful to The Mosaic Partnership for their expert advice and support throughout the BID development process.
I would also like to acknowledge the BID Task Group, a committed group of local businesses who volunteered their time and expertise to bring this initiative forward. Their dedication to ensuring a transparent, thorough and best-practice process has been greatly appreciated.
Finally, thank you to all local businesses who engaged in consultations, shared their perspectives and participated in the ballot. The intention throughout has been to explore ways of strengthening Rye, and we remain proud of the dialogue and collaboration this process has fostered across the business community.
Although the proposal has not been approved, the work undertaken has created a strong foundation of research and project planning that may prove valuable should future opportunities arise, such as the potential introduction of an Overnight Visitor Levy by Government. It remains clear that Rye must continue to adapt and respond proactively to future challenges in order to sustain its vitality and long-term success.
We hope this moment provides an opportunity for reflection, others to step forward, and constructive discussion about the most effective ways to support Rye’s business community in the years ahead.”
AGM
Given the Chamber’s legal requirement to oversee the BID process via the levelling up partnership, we had delayed the AGM from 2025, as is permitted by our articles of association, until the BID ballot was complete. The AGM was duly held on Thursday 19th February at the Mermaid Inn.
As had been announced prior to the meeting Jane Brook and Sarah Broadbent stood down as Chair and Vice chair having been in office for the maximum term of three years as allowed.
For those who didn’t attend the AGM here’s a brief summary of how the Chamber is constituted: we are a company limited by guarantee, governed by our memorandum and articles of association. Members elect Councillors at the AGM (up to 12 seats). The Council then appoints Officers (Chair, Vice Chair, Treasurer) from among Councillors, on three-year terms. Directors of the Chamber are legally responsible for the company and oversee operations but are not necessarily Officers, or Councillors.
At the AGM existing Councillors stood for re-election and two further members stood for election as Councillors, all were voted in by show of hands. The Councillors are:
· Jane Brook
· Sarah Broadbent
· Martin Blincow
· Dominic Manning
· Rebekah Gilbert
· Owen Thompson
Councillors play a vital role representing member interests and shaping Chamber priorities but not every Councillor is expected or obliged to take a turn in an officer role. The AGM announced that none of the elected councillors currently wish to take on an officer role leaving the role of Chair and Vice Chair vacant.
That being the case it was decided that the Chamber will continue without officers for an interim period of up to six months. During this time Jane and Sarah will continue as Directors to allow for the completion of the levelling up projects, and recruit further Councillors prepared to take on Officer positions. Should no one step up to take on these roles an EGM will be held by the end of August to agree next steps – likely the winding up of the Chamber.
Recruitment
We have a maximum of six places left on the council to fill. From those we will need to have people prepared to take on the role of Chair, Vice Chair and Treasurer for a year.
We additionally need someone to step forward to take on the role of membership secretary for the Chamber.
We would welcome further directors to join the board too.
With new leadership the Chamber can take a fresh look at what the membership want. Please email us if you’d like to take on a role within the Chamber, or if you’d like to meet with us to chat further about what we do and how you might be able to offer your time and expertise: info@ryechamber.org
Cardboard Recycling
As you will know, Rye Chamber of Commerce offers free cardboard recycling for members, in partnership with Smurfit Kappa. Dominic Manning, the chamber's sustainability champion, is handing over management responsibility of this scheme, (which he helped establish in 2007) this month to Mark Walter who you’ll know from his lovely plant shop in the Mint. This month we extend grateful thanks to Dominic and welcome Mark.
The service is exclusive to Chamber members, and new members can access the scheme upon joining. For updated information on the scheme's operations, contact Mark Walter on markwalter2@mac.com
Taxi Rank under threat from Uber
In January, Jane and Sarah met with Clive Satchell who represents the Rye Taxi Drivers Association. Clive told us about the challenges they are facing and we were able to give him some practical advice on how to lobby and build relationships to get their important message out. He has subsequently set up various meetings and we wish him the best of luck.
175 Years of the Marshlink Line
The Marshlink Line is celebrated 175 years of connecting our communities early this month. To mark the occasion, an on‑train celebration took place on Friday 13 February, bringing together the Mayors of Hastings, Rye, and Ashford for a journey steeped in history and local pride. The Marshlink line has a vital role in Rye, not just for our businesses and their staff, but in helping visitors explore our region by rail – linking coast and countryside.
Camber / Southern Water
Helena Dollimore MP asked Sarah to join her at a meeting convened with Camber businesses earlier this month hear more from those businesses affected by the bio bead incident.
Sarah meets with Southern Water fornightly in her capacity as Chair of 1066 Country to progress next steps on a long term strategy for the reputation rebuilding of Camber as a coastal destination.
BRAG Conference
The Chamber attended the Bexhill Rail Action Group Conference on 27th February. The event brought together senior executives from GTR (Southern) and Southeastern/Network Rail to discuss improving performance and connectivity for our area. The agenda included discussions on the future potential for electrification of the Marshlink line to allow for high speed services to connect Ashford with the coast. Given GTR will very shortly be taken back under government control (31st May) it was a timely forum to agree a formal list of issues for GTR to take forward on behalf of our communities to the DfTO (Department for Transport Operator).
Consultation - Rother Local Plan
Rother District Council is asking residents, businesses and stakeholders to help shape the future of the district by taking part in the Local Plan consultation.
Tourism
John Ryan Memorial Bench Installed
We are delighted to report a that the replacement bench for the John Ryan memorial garden by the train station has been installed. We also purchased an Interactive Memorial plaque - a QR code that will link to an online memorial page. Visitors and weary travellers who stop to rest on the bench will be able to scan the code to see photos and read stories of John's life and contribute their own tributes, if they'd like. Isabel Ryan, John's daughter is populating the memorial page and we hope to have it applied to the bench soon.
Visit Rye
The second phase of the project to roll out a wider physical poster and point of sale campaign is under way. If you have a visitor attraction and would like to be be included in the roll out, please let us know via email info@ryechamber.org.
Tourism Forum Event
1066 Country, the destination marketing organisation for our region will be holding a tourism forum on Friday 20th March at the Stables Theatre Hastings. The event will mark English Tourism week and is open to those businesses and stakeholders within the visitor economy. The event runs from 8.45am – 1.15pm and will include speakers from the British Museum re the Bayeux Exhibition and Milennium Year of the Normans. Patricia Yates, CEO of Visit Britain will be headline speaker. Places are limited - you can sign up here
Station Approach Loos
As reported in the December newsletter the stakeholder group, via the Chamber, applied for a grant from the "Your Station Your Community Improvement Fund" for a feasibility study into the refurbishment and future management of the Station Approach public toilets. We will know by April if we have been successful. In the meantime, we are very happy to report that Chamber councillor Rebekah Gilbert will take on the role of project manager to get things moving.
Dates for your Diary:
Annual Town Meeting - Rye Community Centre, 4th March, 6.30-9.30pm
Female Founders Long Lunch - International Women’s Day , 8th March, 10-30-4pm
1066 Tourism Forum - Stables Theatre, Hastings, 20th March, 8.45am - 1.15pm
RDC Local Plan Consultation closes 23 March.
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See you next month!
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