Newhaven is a key economic driver of Lewes District and this part of the South East:

• There are over 360 registered businesses in total
• A large proportion employ fewer than 5 people which is reasonably typical for East Sussex.
• 80 of these are manufacturing businesses, representing it's fairly traditional manufacturing economy with a focus on components parts, metal working and similar.
• There are over 15 businesses in fishing and marine services, including an active fishing port with a number of boat builders and fit out companies.
• Rental levels compare favourably with other areas in the District and along the coastal strip with a range of commercial and retail premises available.

Newhaven's four largest businesses are Parker Pen, employing more than 650 people, Concord Marlin, 300 people, Bevan Funnell, employing about 200 people and Cash Bases about 200 people.

Planned Development
Newhaven is fortunate in having a number of both commercial and residential sites available for development. The most significant of these is the land to the south east of the town designated as Eastside Business Park which represents more than 30 acres of available B1, B8 land. It is hoped that a development scheme for this site will be submitted in 2005.

A Gateway to Europe
Newhaven has an active and functioning port with a year round link to Dieppe. It was brought some years ago through public sector French investment and is now run as a private company. In recent years the port has focused on expanding its business base including exploring opportunities to better utilise its existing rail infrastructure. In the future it is looking to consolidate its activities into a more focused area and free up redundant land for both commercial and residential development.

Transmanche Ferries provide frequent services between Newhaven and Dieppe with an all year round freight and leisure route service with up to three crossings a day. A summer service is available between Newhaven and Le Havre Transmanche - LD Lines