Airbourne 2022: Eastbourne businesses share thoughts with Chamber of Commerce

Airbourne will return this year after two years of cancellations due to covid and the Chamber of Commerce has been speaking to businesses about the show.

The four-day international air show goes ahead this August 18-21 and attracts huge crowds to the town.

In preparation for the event, the Chamber of Commerce has been talking to businesses in Eastbourne.

Christina Ewbank, chief executive for the chamber, said, “Airbourne brings in visitors and puts Eastbourne on the map.”

Hotels/guest house owners told the chamber how it fills rooms and many are already fully booked for this year’s Airbourne weekend, but stressed August is already busy for the better businesses anyway. Filled rooms also means the restaurants and bars at the hotels do well too.

Mrs Ewbank said Airbourne allows hotels to charge top prices, even on Thursday and Sunday which are normally lower.

Visitors spend money in shops and restaurants, especially at the seafront end of town. Mrs Ewbank said Airbourne weekend gives takeaways and restaurants the best weekend all year with a turnover increase of around 30 per cent.

Despite many businesses agreeing August is the best time for maximising visitor numbers due to school holidays, several said it would be more beneficial in May or September.

The main issue raised was on the topic of transport.