What happened to the town?

I spent the best part of 30 years growing up and then bringing my family up in Burgess Hill. I remember the Martlets being built and we always shopped in the town.

We used the library, my son’s first job was in the cafe at the Martlets Hall and we went there to see several bands in concert over the years as well as watching the annual pantomime every January. I moved away in 2000.

I was pleased when my step-daughter recently bought a house in Burgess Hill and when she picked up the keys we parked up and then walked through the town so I could show her the town centre.

I couldn’t hide my shock at what we saw. What on earth has been done to Burgess Hill town centre?

I don’t need to describe it to you, but there was just some hoardings around a flattened site where the Martlets Hall used to be, that what used to be Tesco, and then Lidl, is now just a vacant empty shell, and that the former cafe opposite, that became a pub with a nightclub above was also boarded up – you couldn’t have described the desperate sight of the place.

I did spot a new library that did look fresh and welcoming. But that was totally surrounded by empty retail outlets. No reason to walk round there other than the library.

During the house hunting for my step-daughter we went to Horsham. That town bears no comparison to Burgess

Hill.

I suggest the town council go on a fact finding tour up there and see how they have managed to keep a thriving town centre while Burgess Hill has let its own one deteriorate into what it has become. Embarrassing and a little upsetting to see. NIGEL SUMMER The Haven, Lancing