Crowborough retailers can book a free scams and fraud workshop with Sussex Police advice on 17 November. A business rates Q&A follows on 11 January.
Crowborough shops and other customer-facing businesses can book a free workshop on scams and fraud on Tuesday 17 November, with advice from Sussex Police ahead of the Christmas rush. It is part of a new Wealden District Council programme called Stronger High Streets.
The council announced the programme on 5 November. It says it was developed in response to feedback from local businesses, and builds on a High Street Support programme run earlier this year. (Wealden District Council, 5 November 2026)
The Crowborough dates
Both sessions are free and are booked through the council’s Stronger High Streets page on Eventbrite.
| Workshop | Date | Time | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|
| Scams and fraud awareness | Tuesday 17 November | 5.30pm to 6.30pm | Crowborough Community Centre, Pine Grove, TN6 1FE |
| Business rates workshop and Q&A | Monday 11 January 2027 | 5.30pm to 6.30pm | Not yet given on the booking page |
The scams session promises “practical advice from Sussex Police on the latest scams and fraud risks affecting retailers”, aimed at the busy Christmas trading period.
The business rates session covers key business rates information and the support available. Members of the council’s Revenues team will take questions.
The same sessions in the other towns
If the Crowborough dates do not suit, the same workshops run elsewhere in the district:
- Scams and fraud: Uckfield on Monday 16 November, Heathfield on Wednesday 18 November and Hailsham on Thursday 19 November, all at 5.30pm
- Business rates: Uckfield on Tuesday 24 November, Hailsham on Wednesday 9 December and Heathfield on Thursday 18 February, all at 5.30pm
The council’s release also lists workshops on digital skills, marketing, branding and social media, with free one-to-one support for businesses that attend them. Those sessions were not yet on the booking page on 8 November. The release names Polegate as a workshop town too, but no Polegate session is listed yet.
Who is behind it
The programme is run with East Sussex County Council, the East Sussex Growth Hub and local Chambers of Commerce.
Councillor James Partridge, who represents Crowborough North and is the council’s deputy leader and lead for the local economy, said:
“Strengthening skills, improving customer service and raising awareness of issues such as scams and fraud, can help businesses feel better protected. It can also ensure residents benefit from a more positive experience when visiting their local high streets.”
What it means for you
- If you run a shop, café or other public-facing business in town: the 17 November scams session is the one to book now. It is an hour, after most shops close.
- If business rates are a worry: book the 11 January Q&A, or the Uckfield session on 24 November if you would rather not wait.
- Questions: the council’s economic development team is on economicdevelopment@wealden.gov.uk.
For parking near the Community Centre, see our Crowborough parking page.
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