Free half-term events prove to be a community winner

PR2024029 - 27/11/2024

An exciting range of free half-term activities in Burgess Hill has proved a huge community success after nearly 1,000 young people took part.

Urban Events is an initiative that is being co-funded by Mid Sussex District Council and NewRiver to mark their commitment to a new partnership being progressed to redevelop Burgess Hill town centre.

During the October half-term week, there were organised activities held for nine days running, all free of charge, in a large marquee at the Martlets Shopping Centre. Most were aimed at 8–16-year-olds but there were also events for younger children.

Two of the activities, spray painting and skateboarding, which had to be booked in advance, were sold out.

Other activities included laser tag, an inflatable nightclub and silent disco, DJ workshops, circus skills, Halloween face painting, mini golf and a games tent.

Mid Sussex District Council Cabinet Member for Communities and Communications, Cllr Anne-Marie Cooke, said: “The fact that nearly 1,000 young people took part in these free activities shows the huge success of Urban Events in Burgess Hill. We’ve had unprecedented positive feedback, not only from those who took part, but also from businesses who welcomed the additional footfall into the town centre, and others in the community who remarked on the positive impact of our young people having activities to focus on during their school holidays.

“I’m delighted that our partnership with NewRiver was able to fund these activities and that we are already forging ahead in our planning for Urban Events during the February half term next year.”

In the meantime, Mid Sussex District Council and NewRiver have co-funded a festive synthetic ice rink which is now open in Burgess Hill, for selected dates, until 8 December. The free sessions have proved so popular that they are now sold out.