November Newsletter 2025
- Jane Brook
- 5 days ago
- 8 min read
Updated: 4 days ago
Welcome New Members
Visit Rye - tourist information service launches
Captain Pugwash is officially the face of the new tourist information service in Rye! A raft of new signage featuring Pugwash is now around town - at carparks and at Station Approach. On arrival, visitors simply scan the QR code and begin to ‘chat’ on WhatsApp with Pugwash himself. We are continuing to refine the knowledge base through user feedback and businesses will be given the chance to display a QR code and various formats are currently being developed (window stickers, counter displays, posters etc).
The town has been missing a tourist information centre since April 2023, when lack of funding forced its closure. For a town that relies heavily on the visitor economy this has been difficult. Levelling Up capital funding secured by Rye Chamber of Commerce and facilitated through Rother District Council has financed this cost-effective solution which has the benefits of not requiring staff or premises and will always remain current.
Back in March the Chamber was thrilled to have been given permission by John Ryan's estate to use the Captain Pugwash character for this purpose. Working with his daughter, Isabel, to explore the original artwork has been a great privilege and we’re extremely grateful for her enthusiasm for the project.
We contracted local businesses WebD on the design and Care Signs printed the heritage boards at Station Approach and the carpark signage and we worked with the leading global tourism tech company Matador Networks' GuideGeek platform for the AI Chatbot - a UK first.
Ross Borden, CEO, Matador Network;
“Not only is Rye the first UK destination we’ve worked with to develop a custom AI tool on the GuideGeek platform, but Rye Chamber is also the first volunteer run organisation we’ve worked with. Discovering Pugwash and training the AI to adopt his jolly pirate vibe has also been a highlight for us.”
Those researching forthcoming trips can also chat with Pugwash via www.visitrye.co.uk the website also features a new film showcasing the tourist highlights of Rye and surrounds which was made by new Chamber member Story & Brand, earlier this summer.
The tool will learn and grow over time and is already scaled for future potential uses designed to benefit businesses in town including footfall data capture, push notifications to visitors and as a vehicle for running town wide promotions. More updates to follow in the New Year.
✅ Top Tip - Answer Engine Optimisation (AEO)
To be found by the VisitRye Captain Pugwash AI agent, a solid website and strong profiles on Google, Maps, and review sites is really important, so we urge all business in town to consider this. If your SEO is not strong, you’re less likely to be pulled into AI answers. Those smaller businesses without websites, simply having a comprehensive Google Business Profile and Google Reviews in addition to your socials will help massively.
All Things Christmas!
Thank you to everyone who joined us in St Mary’s on Friday 28th November for the setting up of the Christmas Tree Festival and afterwards for our festive networking and singalong!
We are delighted to be sponsoring the Christmas Tree Festival for its second year. The festival is clearly now firmly a fixture in the Rye seasonal calendar as it’s almost doubled in size from year one to year two, there was a lovely atmosphere in the Church as people were working hard on their designs, and the creativity is seriously impressive! Thank you to Vivienne Pattison and Hilary Morfitt for organising the festival and for allowing us to host our Christmas event at the Church too. Do go and see the trees, the church is open daily 10am-4pm and the festival runs until the twelfth night - 6th January 2026.
The smell of fresh Christmas trees and mulled wine was the perfect setting for the Chamber’s Christmas drinks. Thanks to Rye Deli for providing us with some very tasty seasonal treats to accompany the wine and to Charles Palmer Vineyards for sponsoring the toast to the winners of the Christmas Window Competition - Mayor’s Choice.
The Right Worshipful, The Mayor of Rye, Cllr. Andy Stuart praised the extraordinary creativity from all of our businesses and shop owners with their window displays. He commended the strength of community spirit and acknowledged that from his networking as Mayor, the other Cinque Port towns often express admiration for the ‘quality of the offering’ that Rye has. He announced his top picks in reverse order - runner up was Rye Chocolates who were unable to attend the evening but were delighted and we’ll be passing on their certificate very soon. Second place was Paws and Claws and Nikki collected her certificate from the Mayor. First prize went to the Sunflower Charity Shop on Cinque Ports Street - the team were surprised and thrilled to be winners and to learn that their prize is a professional video / photography package to provide them with business support for the coming year.
Special thanks to our guest adjudicating panel made up of James Stewart, editor of Rye News, Cllr. Christine Bayliss from RDC and International Stylist Bhnadan Rochnabhenkul (Smart) who all assisted the Mayor on a miserable and wet Thursday night and, of course, thanks to KT Bruce for documenting the occasion so beautifully with her photos.
At the end of the awards ceremony, James Stewart, editor of Rye News then reminded everyone that ‘The Peoples’ Choice’ part of the Christmas Competition is still running until the 8th December and encouraged us all to get photographing and tagging @newsrye on social media so that entries can be counted. This is everyone’s chance to support the windows they love best this Christmastime. James called for a round of applause in recognition of the extraordinary efforts of our town’s volunteers to get the Christmas Lights funded and in place for this year and everyone agreed that they look stunning.
You can contact the Christmas lights volunteers to get involved in 2026 at ryechristmaslights@gmail.com
Update on Levelling Up Revenue Project - BID consultation
The Task Group recognises all opinions expressed during the consultation period. In the first instance, changes are being made to the Business Plan. No decision has been taken yet as to whether it will proceed to the ballot phase.
Anyone who has yet to contribute their views can still do so via the hello@ryebid.co.uk
Comprehensive FAQs available here
Bio Beads Spill / Meeting with Southern Water CEO
We have all been deeply upset at the recent bio bead spill that has impacted on our coastline. The priority is, of course, on the vital work of clearing up and investigating cause and effect. Nothing like this must happen again and Southern Water has committed to that work and associated costs. The problem won’t be resolved quickly – it can’t be, the task is too great, but it is underway and there are many eyes watching.
However, it isn’t only the impact on our environment that we have reckon with, the consequential reputational damage will affect the 1066 region as a whole – and the Rye and Camber area very specifically. That’s something that concerns us greatly. To that end Sarah asked to meet with Hilary Murgatroyd Stakeholder Manager and Lawrence Gosden, CEO of Southern Water at Chamber HQ earlier this month in her capacity as chair of 1066 Country.
She asked if he would consider working with 1066 Country in a long-term alliance to support efforts to repair our coastal area’s reputation as a great place to visit. Southern Water has the people resources whereas 1066 has almost none – this task cannot be done alone and on an extremely limited budget. For Southern Water’s part they need and want to restore their reputation with stakeholders which includes Camber and Rye. A co-operative working partnership with the tourism destination marketing organisation for this region would help that process.
Some of you may think it odd to have proposed an alliance with a company that many see as ‘the enemy’. But in reality it could present an opportunity for us to add muscle and resource over time to our efforts to rebuild and increase visitor numbers. Sarah will be meeting with Southern Water again soon to further discuss the potential for developing a strategy that will work.
Remembrance Day
On Sunday 11th November, Rye Chamber had the honour of representing our town’s business community and laying and laying a wreath at this year’s Remembrance Service. Thank you to the Rye & District branch of the Royal British Legion - Rye Branch for inviting us to join their Remembrance Lunch at the Mermaid after the church service.
Marshlink Line
Rye Chamber attended the Marshlink Line steering group meeting on the 14th November at Rye Town Hall. The meeting included an update from the Chair, and from the Line Officer, along with the latest news from the station partners and community stakeholders. There was a discussion around potential ideas for celebrating the 175th anniversary of the line next February and it was agreed that an ‘on train’ celebration should be researched so that the whole line could be part of those celebrations. Sarah Broadbent was officially voted in as the new Vice Chair to support Chair, Kevin Boorman and further consolidate links with the local community.
Autumn Budget - some key points for small business
A significant amount of the Autumn Budget funding and policy focus was directed towards Mayoral Strategic Authorities as a central part of the government’s devolution and local growth strategy. To remind you - the elections for Sussex Mayor will take place in May 2026.
For those of you in retail, hospitality and leisure you will find a clear summary of the changes to business rates and how they will affect your business here.
The National Living Wage is rising by 4.1% to £12.71 per hour. The 18-20 year old rate rises by 85p to £10.85 per hour and under 18s and apprentices getting 45 pence more to £8 an hour.
A reduction in green levies will knock about £150 a year off the ‘average’ domestic energy bill. But no similar relief has been announced for non-domestic energy users. While domestic energy has a price cap to keep rates relatively low, there’s no such cap for business energy rates, leaving businesses sensitive to price volatility if not locked into a fixed contract.
Local Government Reorganisation - Further Consultation
The Government is leading a consultation seeking views on Local Government Reorganisation in East Sussex. The consultation runs until 11th January 2026. You can complete the questionnaire here and read about the consultation in full here.
Dates for your Diary
Monday 1st December- 6am: Entrepreneurial meet-up at Ground Up Coffee Shop
Saturday 6th December - 6-7pm - Rye Carol Concert, St. Mary's Church
Saturday 6th December - 11am - 5pm Free wine tasting event at The Winery
Fri 12 - Sun 14th - Rye Players Panto at Rye Theatre
Saturday 13th December at 6.30pm - Carol Singing at The George
Saturday 20th December - 11am - 7pm - Christmas open day at Charles Palmer Vineyard
Sunday 21st December - 9am - 12pm - Christmas Classic Car Meet, Aubrey Halls, Rock Channel
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See you next month!
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