Commercial Property in East Sussex and West Sussex: Brighton, Crawley, Gatwick and the South Coast (2026)
The Sussex counties span two very different commercial property markets: the Brighton and Hove creative, digital, and professional services economy on the South Coast, and the Gatwick Diamond industrial and logistics cluster — one of the South East's most significant commercial property markets — anchored by the UK's second-busiest airport. This guide covers both counties together given their overlapping commercial geography.
The two Sussex counties — East Sussex and West Sussex — together form one of England's most commercially diverse regions, combining Brighton's internationally recognised creative, digital, and arts economy with the Gatwick Diamond business cluster (one of the South East's most significant commercial property markets), the traditional market towns of the Weald, and a South Coast strip of smaller commercial centres from Worthing to Hastings.
Brighton and Hove
Brighton and Hove is the UK's most commercially significant coastal city — a major centre for digital technology, creative industries, media, professional services, and financial services, with a brand distinctiveness that consistently supports above-average commercial demand.
Office market: Brighton's office market is characterised by strong demand for quality space in a market where supply has historically been constrained. RICS South East data from Avison Young's Colin Brades notes that "activity in the central Brighton retail market is sluggish albeit there is no indication of the low vacancy rates (when considered)." The same pattern applies to offices: quality is scarce, demand is selective, and secondary stock struggles.
Prime Brighton city centre office rents range from approximately £26–£33 per sq ft for the best modern accommodation. The New England House development on New England Street, the Digital Catapult Brighton, and various managed workspace providers serve the city's large SME and digital economy base.
Digital and creative economy: Brighton has one of the UK's highest concentrations of digital technology businesses relative to its size, generating significant demand for flexible and co-working space, managed offices, and smaller suites. The city's universities (University of Brighton and University of Sussex) generate a strong graduate talent pipeline that retains well in the local market.
Retail: Brighton's retail market is anchored by Churchill Square Shopping Centre and the North Laines — one of the UK's most distinctive independent retail districts, consistently cited as a national model for independent retail resilience. The city has been relatively insulated from the worst of UK high street decline by its strong tourist economy, local loyalty to independent brands, and student and graduate population.
Crawley and the Gatwick Diamond
The Gatwick Diamond is the commercial cluster surrounding London Gatwick Airport — one of the UK's most significant out-of-town commercial property markets, encompassing Crawley (the airport town itself), Horley, Burgess Hill, Haywards Heath, and East Grinstead in East Sussex.
Logistics and industrial: The M23/M25 junction and Gatwick's direct motorway access make the Gatwick Diamond one of the South East's most active industrial and logistics locations. Manor Royal Business District in Crawley — a 700-acre commercial estate directly adjacent to the airport — is home to over 500 businesses and one of the UK's largest managed business districts.
Alan Boswell's commercial property statistics confirm that commercial buildings in Hassocks, West Sussex, have the highest average BREEAM score of any UK location (76%, 2024) — a reflection of the high quality of recent commercial development in this part of the Gatwick Diamond.
Prime industrial rents in the Gatwick corridor range from approximately £14–£19 per sq ft for modern well-specified logistics, reflecting the premium commanded by proximity to Gatwick and M23 access.
Office market: Manor Royal Business District and the wider Crawley area provide significant out-of-town office capacity for Gatwick-related businesses, aviation supply chain, and companies requiring airport proximity. Prime Crawley/Gatwick office rents range from approximately £22–£30 per sq ft.
Central Sussex: Horsham, Chichester, Worthing
Horsham is West Sussex's principal market town commercial centre, with a professional services and retail economy benefiting from direct rail access to London Bridge (approximately 1 hour). Prime Horsham office rents are in the £18–£24 per sq ft range.
Chichester is a cathedral city with a predominantly professional services, public sector, and tourism economy. The city's retail market benefits from tourism and a prosperous catchment. Commercial supply is limited by the historic city centre character.
Worthing has established itself as a secondary commercial centre with good coastal road and rail connections, attracting businesses priced out of Brighton and Hove.
Frequently Asked Questions
What makes Brighton commercially distinctive?
Brighton is one of the UK's most recognised brand identities for digital creativity, arts, and alternative culture — and this commercial reputation translates into genuine occupier demand. The city attracts digital technology, creative agencies, media production, and progressive professional services firms at a density that is exceptional for a coastal city of its size. The combination of beach proximity, direct London trains (around 52 minutes to London Bridge), and a strong quality-of-life offer drives both talent retention and business location decisions.
What is the Gatwick Diamond?
The Gatwick Diamond is the commercial cluster surrounding London Gatwick Airport, encompassing Crawley, Horley, East Grinstead, Burgess Hill, Haywards Heath, and surrounding towns. Named for its diamond shape on the map, it includes Manor Royal Business District (700 acres, 500+ businesses) and benefits from M23/M25 motorway access, Gatwick's direct international air connections, and rail services to London Victoria (approximately 30 minutes). It is one of the South East's most significant commercial property markets outside London.
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