Welcome to Forest Row Business Forum

Welcome to the Business Forum website our aim is to support and link together all Business People in the Forest Row area ,and to provide useful information which will help our Business community to flourish and prosper.
 
We aim to have monthly meetings at various members locations, where we can discuss local topics and help members to make new contacts and exchange Business Ideas.
 
Next meeting
​Thursday 17th November @ 5.30 pm – 7.pm
Brambletye Hotel

If you are new to the Area or thinking of starting up a local business making new contacts and meeting new business owners , may help you on your Path to Success.

To Join the Forum Contact : Jenny Sharma, jenny@admill.co.uk
 

CHECK YOUR 2017 BUSINESS RATES HERE

History Of Forest Row

Originally a small hamlet that grew up at one of the ‘gates’ of Ashdown Forest where the turnpike road (now the A22) began its climb up the forest ridge, the village of Forest Row has grown gradually over the past 150 years or so. Much of its growth was due to the arrival of the railway in 1866 and the opening of the golf course in 1889. For 100 years the village had a direct train service to London, but sadly, the line was an early casualty of the ‘Beeching Axe’. The steady growth of Forest Row has, however, continued with a population in the parish of nearly 5,500 at the last census. The village is surrounded on three sides by Ashdown Forest and this forms a natural boundary, preventing development on a large scale.

The village has retained much of its rural character and is a pleasant mixture of old and new, with traditional Sussex cottages and pleasing modern developments. There are several village greens carefully preserved and maintained by the Parish Council, giving an attractive open appearance.

Forest Row is now a shopping centre for quite a wide area and virtually every trade and profession is represented amongst the small shops and businesses that still provide a personal service. A small number of small industrial units have also been built and these have helped to create a balanced and sustainable community without intruding on the basic character of the village.