September Newsletter 2025
- Jane Brook
- Sep 30
- 13 min read
Welcome New Members
No Christmas Festival this year 😢
The announcement on 16th September via social media that the Christmas Festival will not take place in Rye this year has raised a lot of questions. The situation is not as clear cut as many might think. The Rye Christmas Festival as we know it was started by Chamber Member and local business owner Jen Sinclair, Creative Director of Rockpool Creative, alongside a small group of locals back in 2015. We asked Jen for some background;
“We wanted to create an event that mostly consisted of free of charge activities, but those that were payable were affordable so ALL could enjoy. This was not a profit making event by any means. Any economic boost that it gave the town and shop-keepers was of course an added bonus for them, but it wasn't what drove us.”
"There is a misconception and I often hear ‘they’ being referred to. ‘Why don’t ‘they’ do it anymore? ‘They’ have done a rubbish job this year’. We were not a group of staff employed by some higher body to do this. We were all volunteers."
"We ran the festival like this for 5 years, from 2015-2019. It was unsustainable. Financially, physically and emotionally. New initiative funding pots could no longer be accessed, the endless begging for traders to contribute towards the lighting and festival was soul destroying. Year after year we traipsed the town for days on end asking people if they would help out. Some did, without question, many didn’t. 'What’s in it for me?' they would say. Resentment builds and the weight is too much, so it collapses. Had we had a sustainable model, the regular support of ALL traders and some unity as a town and community then it might not have come to this."
Head over to Rye News NEXT WEEK for Jen’s full statement (10th October issue).
The Chamber’s position on Christmas Lights
As you may know, the lights ceased to be a responsibility of the Chamber long before Jane and Sarah came in to head up the Chamber in 2022. The Christmas lights are owned by Rye Christmas Festival Limited. Jen Sinclair told us:
"Whilst the festival was a one day event, the committee also took on the Christmas lighting, or lack of. There were no useable lights left belonging to the town back then. The committee entered competitions, we travelled across the country to pitch our plea, winning initially £16,000 worth of lights for the town. Though having them was only the first hurdle, the installation and insurance of them is another matter entirely and one that continues to be misunderstood by many in the town."
"It is no ones responsibility to put up the Christmas lighting. We do not have council budget for this like Oxford Street or even Brighton. So, us, our friends, our families, would climb the ladders from the start of November until it was done, braving the winds and chill until the town was lit… and then having to take them back down in dreary January. Every year."
An annual festive lighting scheme is so very important to our retailers to attract footfall. The Chamber looked into the subject extensively after our first Christmas back in 2022, and we quickly came to realise how precarious the situation was. Rye's reliance on volunteers and ever-shrinking funding pots were the main drivers for us to look into a Business Improvement District (BID) back in 2023. Christmas lights were the catalyst. BIDs provide a source of funding for towns and cities up and down the country to deliver a professionally designed and compliant annual displays. Fast forward to 16th September 2025, when it was announced that the festival would not go ahead this year, our DM's went wild, and immediately a call went up on the Chamber What's App group from Simply Rye for the Chamber to "Confirm the usual Christmas Lights will be put up". If only we could.
Sophie Thorpe (who took over organising the festival in 2022) told us that the volunteer team who erected them in 2024 are happy to do it again, but the problem was that Rye Christmas Festival Ltd was being dissolved, and there is no governing body to apply for the insurance and no money to cover the insurance. Based on previous years, the cost is approximately £1,700 for the 2 months to cover the season. Jen went on:
“I recognise that the businesses in town have different priorities for Christmas events other than just a ‘fun day out’, but organising an event that serves the community, drives footfall and encourages people to shop in town needs many more people involved and more funding. It isn’t ever a question of ‘just a few volunteers’ organising, fundraising, marketing and making sure a festival is safe and compliant - it is a huge undertaking. I understand that some businesses may be angry that there will not be a festival this year, but some of those same businesses aren’t always easy to engage with when it comes to actively participating in the festival either. "
"There has to be a different way of doing things in the future where everyone’s priorities are met and I look forward to having that discussion with people early in 2026 so we can make new plans that work for everyone.”
The Chamber has subsequently had a solid two weeks of conversations with The Rye Christmas Festival Committee (past and present), the Town Council and professional lighting scheme installers to see if the Chamber could help make lights happen this year.
We sought advice from Chamber Members Jenco Electrical, based in Rye. Director Andy Jenner says;
“As a former member of the Christmas committee and one of the original Christmas lighting gang, I have many years of experience with the trials and tribulations of the Rye Christmas lighting. It pains me to say it, but I fear the old ways of the lighting being installed are behind us. The main issues are due to insurance and the good old Heath and Safety. The Christmas lighting and festival are something I hold very dear and I have personally donated many hours trying to keep it going but the hoops we must now jump through make life increasingly difficult and the reason I had to step away in 2021”.
Andy provided a comprehensive checklist of 7 key areas of compliance that currently fall short, including the electrical connection points, test certification, anchor testing and the equipment, Health and Safety concerns and training required for installers.
Consistent with our findings in 2023, the Chamber does not have the funds or the manpower to embark on a project to make the install safe and compliant.
The Town Council is also in agreement that the lights and method of installation cannot be insured by them as they currently exist. Unless any other business entity comes forward to do the essential works required and insure the installation of lights, it is unlikely they will go up this year. Over on the Chamber What's App group Oliver Campion from WebD.uk and the RyeSussex.uk website appealed:
We cannot tell the world that “Christmas is cancelled in Rye”. That would be disastrous to the local economy.
Oliver has offered to promote any activities you might have going on over the festive period via his website here.
What now?
We’ve looked at alternative ways to drive footfall this festive season, but we need Rye's businesses to work together for it to work. After speaking to our colleagues at the Tenterden Chamber of Commerce, we think that a Christmas Window Competition is possible in the time we have available.
We propose the campaign to be:
Open to all businesses with a shop window or frontage in Rye. Free to enter.
Posters & Flyers: “Light Up Rye” Christmas Window Competition, placed in shops, cafés, etc, plus social media drive.
Judging: A public vote via the new Visit Rye AI tourism project (launching early November).
Prizes: presented at St. Mary’s Church on Friday, 28th November.
Look out for full details of the competition and campaign in October’s newsletter.
APPEAL: We need as many businesses as possible to take part - not just Chamber members. We will need to call upon volunteers to help deliver flyers and spread the word... thank you to those who have already reached out. Contact: info@ryechamber.org
Levelling Up - AI Tourism Project Update (Visit Rye)
As mentioned above, we have decided to launch with the"Light Up Rye" Christmas Window Competition in early November, and so we have this to now to incorporate while we’re still plugging away at it, as the testing and AI teaching phase continues.
Update on Levelling Up Revenue Project - BID consultation
The Chamber attended a further BID Task Group meeting in early September to help revise a draft plan for eligible businesses in the town to consider. The draft plan has now been agreed. The Task Group will be distributing the draft plan to all eligible businesses in the BID area across the first two weeks of October. Businesses will be asked to provide feedback to the Task Group via email, at a requested meeting, or at one of three drop-in sessions scheduled for 20th, 21st, and 23rd October. Details for those meetings will be within the plan. Any questions ahead of this can be directed to hello@ryebid.co.uk
St. Mary’s Christmas Tree Festival & Chamber Christmas Drinks Combo - save the date!
Join the festive fun and promote your business for free! Following the success of last year’s inaugural Christmas Tree Festival at St Mary’s, the Chamber is delighted to be sponsoring it again, and this year we want to encourage even more businesses to take part by holding our annual Christmas drinks with entertainment and sing-along at the church on the same evening as Christmas Tree setting up takes place!
Last year, there were over 30 beautifully decorated trees promoting local businesses and causes on display in the church. They were enjoyed by hundreds of visitors during December. We’re hoping that our second festival will be even bigger and better. So here’s the plan….
To take part, email the festival organisers Vivienne and Hillary at vivienne.pattison@gmail.com by Friday 14th November and tell them how big you are going to go with your fabulous creation so that they can allocate a suitable spot for your tree and give you further festival instructions.
Pick your tree! Rye Garden Centre are offering 10% off trees for any business (you don’t need to be a Chamber member) that is taking part in the festival, and they will DELIVER your tree to the church for free, on Friday 28th November, ready for you to decorate!
On the 28th November: Arrive anytime from 2pm to collect and decorate your tree! Leave flyers, include QR codes, showcase your creativity and promote your business to hundreds of people for free!
Stay after 7pm for the Chamber Drinks and networking - a free event, everyone is welcome, no need to be a member!
At 8.30pm the winner of the "Light Up Rye" Christmas Window Competition will be announced and the prizes awarded!
Join us for a jolly festive sing-a-long to finish the evening in style 🎄
Look out for more information coming in next month's newsletter.
Hospitality – Business & Trade Committee
The Business and Trade Committee session on the 16th September heard from a series of panels regarding small business strategy. The whole session is well worth a watch as it relates to so many of the issues faced by businesses here in Rye, but if you don’t have time to watch the full session, which runs at well over two hours, the link below (start at 16:00) is to just the final panel which is essential viewing for any of our hospitality businesses. The panel of stakeholders spoke very candidly about the challenges faced by the hospitality sector. The focus was on the increasing cost of running a hospitality business and unfair VAT and business rates systems.
The purpose of committees is, of course, to help shape policy going forward, and the panel made clear their frustration that the very specific needs of the hospitality industry are not currently recognised as significant enough to be included in the Government’s Industrial Strategy, being instead included under their Small Business Strategy, which is too broad to be helpful.
You can watch the clip here: https://parliamentlive.tv/event/index/670d75a3-a6ca-4a63-bc70-46c266748420?in=16:02:47
Rother District Council Supports ‘One Sussex’
Following approval by councillors at full council and cabinet meetings last week, Rother District Council has approved a plan for people in Rother and the rest of East Sussex to get all of their council services from a single unitary authority. The ‘One Sussex’ proposal has been sent to ministers, and the government will begin a public consultation on the proposal in November before making a final decision in March 2026. You can read the detail here.
Meanwhile, Cllr. Christine Bayliss has written to the Government on behalf of Rother Labour Group to appeal for more choice and formally request that two models be put forward for statutory consultation.
1. The Single East Sussex Unitary Authority Model - One Sussex, as above
2. The Five-Council Sussex-wide Model - as proposed by Brighton and Hove Council
you can read more here.
Want to read more about Sussex reorganisation?
We found a great resource for you! Sussex And The City is an independent and non-political project, clarifying the major reorganisation affecting Sussex and Brighton over the next two years.
The purpose is to build a collective vision of what matters to Sussex, and what a new elected mayor can build on to ensure the whole region flourishes. You can subscribe to their bulletins here.
Helena Dollimore PPS
If you’ve not kept up with the news, Rye & Hastings MP Helena Dollimore is being hailed a"rising star" after her recent appointment as parliamentary private secretary to the Treasury in the recent reshuffle. Congrats Helena!
Town Council Update - New Councillor
Congratulations to Chamber member Dena Smith Ellis, who has been elected to be the newest Rye Town Councillor. We are sure that Dena’s energy and commitment will be much valued, and we look forward to seeing her in action at the next council meeting! 👏
Railway 200 - Blue Plaques Exhibition at Rye Station
The Chamber attended the launch of a new exhibition at Rye Station on the 24th September. Earlier in the summer, the Southeast Communities Rail Partnership unveiled 200 ‘blue plaques’ they had commissioned to mark two centuries of railway history. The ‘blue plaques’ highlight people, places and even animals who have a connection to the development of the railways. 100 of them show past links to ten South East train lines and a further 100 illustrate modern jobs to help recruit the next generation of railway staff.
The posters on display at Rye Station are part of this celebration and depict the 10 Marshlink plaques, along with 10 plaques from the Hastings to Tonbridge line, as well as 50 modern jobs and a poster explaining more about the display.
One of the intentions of the plaques is to show how the railways don’t just get us from A to B, and to and from work, they’ve provided employment for thousands for people, they’ve been a catalyst for innovation and invention in engineering, station, bridge and tunnel building, they’ve given opportunities for adventure and romance, and of course provided capacity for movement of troops and munitions during times of war.
The plaques were researched and developed by ‘accidental historian’ and Brede resident, Danny Coope of Street of Blue Plaques. The exhibition really is fascinating and well worth a trip to the station for a look, even if you aren’t setting off on a train journey! Alternatively, click on the links here to read the stories linked to our local line, and learn about the myriad jobs and careers that the railways offer.
The 54th Rye Arts Festival has now drawn to a close and by all reports has been another hugely successful year. The programme this year was incredibly varied, offering something for everyone. Our congratulations to the whole Festival Committee and their stellar team.
Thanks to Chamber Member and Arts Festival Trustee KT Bruce for the fabulous photos!
Rye Harvest Wine & Food Fair a hit despite the challenging weather!
Despite biblical downpours hampering set-up on Saturday morning and high winds making the breakdown on Sunday afternoon a big challenge for the stallholders and the team, year two of The Rye Harvest Wine & Food Fair was a great success.
A vibrant programme of talks, debates and demonstrations in the Food Theatre hosted by Serenta Hospitality was a huge hit!
Stand-Up Comedy Night on Friday, Harvest Hoedown, and the return of Kitty La Roar’s Jazz Breakfast and some truly incredible music and children's entertainment meant there was something for everyone.
To get involved in 2026 contact rye@wineadnfoodfair.events
Bloom Stays - Chequer
The Chamber attended the launch of Chequer - the newest property in Chamber Member Bloom Stays portfolio of holiday homes. The house in East Street is well known to many Rye residents and has undergone a transformation over the past two years. It is simply stunning and undoubtedly offers a luxury experience for group stays right in the heart of our town. Thanks to Nicky and Rowena for inviting us and for the enthusiasm you expressed for working closely with businesses in and around Rye to really elevate guest experiences.
Walk for Wellbeing
The Chamber was introduced to Craig Prentice from Hospitality Action by Natasha from Serenata Hospitality to learn about Walk for Wellbeing. Hospitality in Action is a charity that has been supporting the UK hospitality industry since 1837. They offer advice and support to current and former employees in the UK hospitality sector who’ve found themselves in difficulty or crisis. Their flagship fundraising event is Walk for Wellbeing, which takes place across the month of October, kicking off on Friday 10th and coincides with World Mental Health Day. The national event has been running since 2020, sponsored by hospitality talent and recruitment partner Mum and has raised £340,000 to date.
Craig will be hosting Rye’s 10K Walk for Wellbeing on Sunday 12th October at Rye Harbour. Join the team, rally some sponsors, or make a donation - You can find out more here.
DATES FOR YOUR DIARY:
Friday 3rd October 4pm - 7pm: New members Treasures Of Rye opening day! Drop in for a quick glass of celebratory English fizz and browse their new shop 🥂
Sunday 12th October at 10am - Walk for Wellbeing at Rye Harbour
20th, 21st, and 23rd October - BID Drop-In sessions (see consultation doc for timings)
Christmas Tree Festival deadline 14th November email vivienne.pattison@gmail.com
Christmas Tree Festival set up date Friday 28th November - St. Mary's from 2pm
Rye Chamber Christmas Drinks Friday 28th November - St. Mary's from 7pm - FREE
Light Up Rye Christmas Window Competition Winner announced Friday 28th November at 8.30pm at St. Mary's
NOT A MEMBER?
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See you next month!
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