When most locals think of the best shopping centres in Sussex, it’s likely Churchill Square in Brighton, The Beacon in Eastbourne and County Mall in Crawley. They are good starting points for a Sussex shopping trip built around familiar high-street names.
While the term best in terms of this guide relates to accessibility, wide shop choice, close proximity and amenities. The counties shopping centres also include smaller neighbourhood high streets and retail parks, a historic seaside arcade and more. So the right choice depends on the day you have in mind and if you are driving or taking public transport.
Some centres combine shopping with restaurants and entertainment. Others are more useful for everyday purchases, a café stop or a visit to the surrounding town centre.
This guide covers shopping centres across East Sussex, West Sussex and Brighton & Hove, with Chichester and Rustington included separately for their shopping streets. It covers the main options rather than every single retail park and shopping parade, but please let us know any missing hidden gems.
Information reviewed: 9 September 2026.
Sussex shopping centres at a glance
| Shopping centre | Location | Area | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Churchill Square | Brighton | Brighton & Hove | Major brands, IKEA and a wider city-centre day out |
| The Beacon | Eastbourne | East Sussex | Shopping, restaurants, cinema and leisure |
| Langney Shopping Centre | Eastbourne | East Sussex | Everyday shopping and neighbourhood services |
| Priory Meadow | Hastings | East Sussex | Covered shopping near the station and seafront |
| Vicarage Field | Hailsham | East Sussex | Local shops, services and a seasonal monthly market |
| County Mall | Crawley | West Sussex | National brands and convenient rail and bus connections |
| Swan Walk | Horsham | West Sussex | Town-centre shopping, with phased reopening updates to check |
| The Orchards | Haywards Heath | West Sussex | Local shopping, cafés, markets and events |
| Guildbourne Centre | Worthing | West Sussex | Indoor shopping, services and escape-room entertainment |
| Holmbush Centre | Shoreham-by-Sea | West Sussex | Tesco Extra, Marks & Spencer and Next |
| Market Place | Burgess Hill | West Sussex | Town-centre shops, groceries and services |
| Martlets | Burgess Hill | West Sussex | A regeneration area, distinct from Market Place |
| The Arcade | Bognor Regis | West Sussex | A historic covered arcade near the seafront |
Before you go
Check closures, building work and access
Swan Walk is reopening in phases, Churchill Square has published notices about lift works, and Martlets is subject to major regeneration plans. Check the relevant centre’s current information before travelling for a particular shop, especially when you need a step-free entrance or a specific route through the building.
Which Sussex shopping centre should you choose?
There are plenty of options striving for the alim of the best shopping in Sussex. For a trip combining shops with indoor entertainment, start with The Beacon in Eastbourne. Its cinema, restaurants and leisure businesses make it possible to plan more than a shopping visit without moving between separate destinations.
Churchill Square suits shoppers looking for national brands followed by Brighton’s independent shopping streets or seafront. County Mall is a convenient alternative for visitors arriving at Crawley by train or bus, while Priory Meadow works well as part of a wider Hastings visit.
For a shorter trip, The Orchards, Market Place, Langney and Guildbourne offer more local options. Holmbush is useful for larger individual stores, groceries and homeware. Chichester and Rustington are worth considering when you would rather browse shopping streets than spend the day inside a mall.
Brighton & Hove shopping centres
There is only one shopping centre, but it does not mean it’s the only place to shop. There is a multitude of shopping areas including George Street in Hove, The Lanes and the North Laine.
Churchill Square, Brighton
Where: Western Road, Brighton, BN1 2TE. Churchill Square’s travel information gives an approximate walking time of 10 minutes from Brighton station.
Churchill Square is Brighton’s main enclosed shopping centre, on Western Road near the Clock Tower. Its retailer mix covers fashion, technology, beauty, gifts and homeware, with names including Apple, H&M, HMV, Bershka and IKEA.
IKEA’s Brighton store opened on 14 August 2025, adding another reason to visit beyond conventional high-street shopping. The city-centre format allows customers to take away smaller purchases, while larger items can be ordered for delivery or collection. Food is also part of the offer, with the store publishing separate hours for its restaurant, bistro and Swedish Food Market.
The IKEA Brighton visitor page explains opening hours, collection arrangements and what to expect in the store.
Churchill Square works well as one part of a wider Brighton visit. The Lanes offer narrow streets, jewellery shops and restaurants, while North Laine provides a different mix of independent and vintage shops. Neither should be confused with the shopping centre itself.
The centre has published information about lift replacement work and alternative step-free routes. Shoppers should check those arrangements rather than assuming their usual route between floors will be available.
East Sussex shopping centres
The Beacon, Eastbourne
Where: 57 The Beacon, Eastbourne, BN21 3NW. The centre’s travel information places its nearest entrance approximately three minutes’ walk from Eastbourne station.
The Beacon combines central Eastbourne shopping with restaurants and an eight-screen Cineworld, making it a useful choice for a day that does not depend entirely on browsing shops.
Its store and restaurant directory includes Primark, Marks & Spencer, Next, H&M, TK Maxx, Boots and Sports Direct, alongside names such as Rituals and Søstrene Grene. Food options include Nando’s, Jamaica Blue, Shades Restaurant and several cafés and takeaway outlets.
Boom Battle Bar adds games and entertainment to the centre’s leisure offer. Visitors planning an activity with children should check the operator’s age restrictions and booking requirements before making arrangements.
The Cineworld Eastbourne listings provide current film times. Restaurants, leisure venues and the cinema have their own hours, so the end of the main shopping day does not necessarily mean the end of a visit.
The location is another advantage. A trip can take in Eastbourne’s wider town centre and continue towards the seafront, rather than being confined to the shopping centre.
Our The Beacon guide brings together the directory, travel information and practical details for that centre.
Langney Shopping Centre, Eastbourne
Where: 64 Kingfisher Drive, Eastbourne, BN23 7RT. Check the Langney Shopping Centre directory before travelling for a particular business. Drivers should follow current parking signs and maximum-stay conditions rather than relying on older references to free parking.
Eastbourne’s shopping centres are not limited to The Beacon. Langney Shopping Centre, on Kingfisher Drive, serves a more everyday role, combining groceries and household purchases with local services.
Its published directory includes Tesco, Home Bargains, Boots, Iceland and The Works, alongside smaller businesses. Windmills Cafe & Bakery provides somewhere to stop for refreshments.
Langney is a useful option for practical shopping rather than a substitute for The Beacon’s cinema-and-restaurants offer. The choice between them is less about which is better and more about whether you want to complete a shopping list or make a longer day of the visit.
Our Langney guide brings together the directory, travel information and practical details for that centre.
Priory Meadow, Hastings
Where: Queens Road, Hastings, TN34 1PH. Consult the centre’s directions and check current parking and accessibility arrangements before travelling.
Priory Meadow is Hastings’ main covered shopping centre, with more than 40 shops. Its retailer mix includes Marks & Spencer, Primark, H&M, Boots, Superdrug and Waterstones.
The centre’s food directory includes PizzaExpress and 1066 Cafe and Bakery. There are also further places to eat in the surrounding town-centre streets.
Its location makes Priory Meadow particularly useful for visitors who want to combine shopping with the rest of Hastings. The station is nearby, while the seafront, pier and Old Town can form part of a longer walk through the town.
This is a central shopping stop rather than somewhere that needs to occupy the whole day. It works equally well for a planned shopping trip or a shorter visit before continuing elsewhere.
Our Priory Meadow guide brings together the directory, travel information and practical details for that centre.
Vicarage Field, Hailsham
Where: Vicarage Field, Hailsham, United Kingdom, BN27 1BE
Plan your visit: check the Hailsham Street Market information for current arrangements, particularly before making a special journey for the market.
Vicarage Field is a smaller shopping area between Hailsham High Street and Vicarage Lane. It combines shops and services with public space and pedestrian links through the town centre.
Wealden District Council’s improvement proposals focus on repairing and upgrading the existing buildings and surrounding spaces, rather than replacing the shopping centre. Suggested changes include planting, paving, seating, lighting and improvements to pedestrian access.
The consultation has closed. The published indicative programme points to building repairs beginning in winter 2026/27 and work to public spaces in spring 2027, subject to the necessary approvals and preparatory work. These remain provisional timescales, not confirmed construction dates.
The town council’s street-market programme provides another reason to visit. Following the market’s announced return to Vicarage Field in July 2026, the advertised seasonal schedule is the last Friday of each month, from March to September, between 9.30am and 1.30pm.
Our Vicarage Field guide brings together the directory, travel information and practical details for that centre.
West Sussex shopping centres
County Mall, Crawley
Where: Crawley town centre, RH10 1FP, opposite Crawley railway station. Drivers should check current tariffs, car-park opening hours and access arrangements before setting out.
County Mall is the best shopping centre in the mid sussex area. It’s a substantial town-centre mall with a broad selection of familiar retailers. The centre advertises more than 80 stores, with its directory including Primark, Next, River Island, Boots, JD Sports, B&M and Søstrene Grene.
It is a straightforward option for shoppers who want to visit several national chains without moving between separate retail parks. Its cafés and food outlets also make it possible to stop for lunch during a longer shopping trip.
Transport is one of its main practical strengths. Crawley station is across the road, the bus station is beside the centre, and its two car parks provide more than 1,700 spaces.
For visitors arriving by rail, Crawley is the station to look for when planning the simplest arrival at County Mall. Three Bridges is a separate station and involves an onward journey or a longer walk.
Our County Mall guide brings together the directory, travel information and practical details for that centre.
Swan Walk, Horsham
Where: 12 Medwin Way, Horsham RH12 1HQ
Swan Walk remains an important part of Horsham’s shopping offer, but visitors should not assume normal access throughout the centre.
Following a safety closure in July 2026, reopening has been taking place in stages. At the time of checking on 9 September, the centre’s published notice reported that 29 retailers had reopened. It referred to access to Superdrug, F Hinds and Roman following the reopening of Carfax Mall and Swan Square, with further work continuing.
Horsham District Council and Your Horsham BID established a response team to support affected businesses and maintain visits to the wider town centre. The council’s business-support update explains that work.
The disruption does not mean Horsham town centre as a whole is closed. Shops, cafés, markets and other businesses outside the affected centre remain part of the wider visit.
Before travelling: check the particular shop and entrance you need. A phased reopening should not be treated as confirmation that every retailer or route through the centre is available.
Our Swan Walk guide brings together the directory, travel information and practical details for that centre.
The Orchards, Haywards Heath
Where: St Wilfrid’s Way, Haywards Heath, RH16 3QH. Check the Orchards visitor information for travel arrangements and follow the centre’s market and events pages for current dates.
The Orchards offers town-centre shopping on St Wilfrid’s Way in Haywards Heath. Its directory includes Marks & Spencer, Accessorize, The Works and smaller businesses, with The Bay Tree Café among the places to stop for refreshments.
Markets and events are part of the centre’s offer, giving it a different emphasis from a larger enclosed mall. It suits a shorter shopping trip, particularly when combined with other businesses in central Haywards Heath.
Visitors arriving by train should allow time for the walk. The centre estimates approximately 15 to 20 minutes from Haywards Heath station, with bus and taxi alternatives.
Our The Orchards guide brings together the directory, travel information and practical details for that centre.
Guildbourne Centre, Worthing
Where: Guildbourne Centre, Worthing, BN11 1LZ. Consult the Guildbourne Centre website and Mindworks venue information before visiting.
Guildbourne Centre describes itself as Worthing’s only indoor shopping centre. Its offer is smaller and more varied than that of a conventional fashion-led mall, combining retailers with services and leisure businesses.
B&M and Toy Barnhaus are among the shopping options, while Mindworks Escape Rooms provides an activity for visitors looking to do more than browse.
Mindworks has more than one Worthing venue, so check the address for the game you book rather than assuming every experience takes place at Guildbourne.
The centre is best considered alongside Worthing’s wider town-centre shopping streets, including Montague Street, rather than as the whole shopping destination.
Our Guildbourne Centre guide brings together the directory, travel information and practical details for that centre.
Holmbush Centre, Shoreham-by-Sea
Where: Upper Shoreham Road, Shoreham-by-Sea, BN43 6TD. Check the individual pages for Tesco Extra at Holmbush, Marks & Spencer Shoreham and Next Shoreham for opening hours and services.
Holmbush is a different proposition from Sussex’s traditional town-centre malls. Its appeal lies in larger individual stores, particularly Tesco Extra, Marks & Spencer and Next. I’d argue it’s more of a retail park as it’s not about the local footfall.
That makes it useful for combining groceries with clothing, homeware and other household purchases. Next’s published departments include menswear, womenswear, childrenswear and home, and the store lists a Costa among its facilities.
It’s not one of the best shopping centres in Sussex. It’s better suited to a practical shopping trip than a day wandering historic streets. Each retailer sets its own opening hours, so there is no single closing time to rely on for the whole visit.
Our Holmbush guide brings together the directory, travel information and practical details for that centre.
Market Place Shopping Centre, Burgess Hill
Where: Burgess Hill town centre, RH15 9NP. The Market Place visitor page provides travel information and links to parking details.
Market Place provides a starting point for a Burgess Hill shopping trip, with a mixture of national retailers, independent businesses and everyday services.
Its shop directory includes Waitrose, B&M, Boots, CeX and The Works. It is a separate centre from the Martlets regeneration area.
For visitors arriving without a car, Market Place says Burgess Hill station is approximately five minutes’ walk away, with buses stopping at its main entrance.
Know the difference
Our Market Place guide brings together the directory, travel information and practical details for that centre.
Market Place and Martlets are separate shopping areas
Market Place has its own directory of operating businesses. Martlets is the subject of regeneration plans.
Martlets, Burgess Hill
Martlets is currently closed. In a statement published on 24 July 2026, Mid Sussex District Council said councillors had agreed the next stage of the project on 22 July. This allowed the council, NewRiver and their partners to continue progressing the proposed redevelopment.
The council said work was expected to begin later in 2026 if remaining conditions were met, but no work has happened that I am aware of.
Our the Martlets regeneration area guide explains the proposals and how the area differs from Market Place.
The Arcade, Bognor Regis
Where: The Arcade, High Street, Bognor Regis, United Kingdom, PO21 1LH
The Arcade offers a different shopping setting from a modern mall. Close to Bognor Regis High Street and the seafront, the covered building opened in 1902, according to Arun District Council.
Its interest lies in its historic architecture and its place within a wider town-centre visit. It is a shorter browsing stop rather than an equivalent to County Mall or The Beacon.
The council’s regeneration proposals include refurbishment and extension of the upper floors, up to 35 apartments and potential improvements to ground-floor commercial space. Original architectural features are intended to be retained and restored wherever possible.
Those proposals should not be confused with a completed restoration. Consult Arun District Council’s published Arcade project information and check current access arrangements when planning a visit.
Our The Arcade guide brings together the directory, travel information and practical details for that centre.
What about Chichester?
Chichester is worth including in a Sussex shopping guide even though its appeal does not depend on a single large enclosed mall.
The main shopping streets are North Street, East Street, South Street and West Street, meeting around the Market Cross. They combine national retailers with independent shops in a historic city-centre setting.
For visitors who prefer browsing streets, stopping at cafés and adding a visit to the nearby cathedral, that can be more appealing than spending the whole trip inside a shopping centre.
The official tourism organisation’s Chichester shopping guide is a useful starting point for exploring the city’s shops.
For a visit that combines shopping streets with the cathedral, galleries and gardens, use our Chichester day-out guide.
What about Rustington?
In Rustington, “shopping centre” refers to the village’s shopping area rather than one enclosed building.
Rustington Parish Council advertises more than 80 shops, ranging from major retailers to specialist independents, with cafés and restaurants alongside them. It is an alternative for shoppers who prefer a smaller centre and a street-based visit.
The parish council’s Shop Rustington information provides an overview of the village’s shopping offer and parking arrangements.
Good to know
Free parking for a shorter Rustington visit
The parish council advertises more than 400 spaces across the main shopping car parks, with three hours’ free parking. Check the signs when you arrive: this is a time-limited offer, not unrestricted all-day parking.
How Sussex shopping centres are changing
The centres in this guide show several different approaches to attracting visitors. The Beacon brings shopping together with cinema, restaurants and games, while IKEA has broadened Churchill Square’s homeware and food offer. At smaller centres, markets, events and everyday services remain important parts of the mix.
Elsewhere, the changes concern the buildings themselves. Vicarage Field’s proposals focus on improving an existing shopping area, Martlets is the subject of a larger redevelopment project, and The Arcade’s plans combine work to a historic building with new homes.
Swan Walk’s phased reopening is a separate issue, arising from a safety closure rather than a planned redevelopment.
Planning a Sussex shopping trip
Travelling by train: County Mall is opposite Crawley station, while The Beacon gives a three-minute walk from Eastbourne station. Priory Meadow is also close to Hastings station. Churchill Square is around 10 minutes from Brighton station, and Market Place gives a five-minute walk from Burgess Hill station. These walking times are estimates and depend on the route and entrance used.
Driving: compare the cost and conditions of parking for the whole visit, not just the first hour. Check maximum stays, evening access and any validation requirements. A shopping centre’s car park may have different operating arrangements from an individual supermarket or nearby council car park.
Accessibility: look for current information on step-free entrances, lifts, accessible toilets and mobility equipment. Having lifts does not establish that every route or facility will be available, particularly during building work. Contact the centre in advance when a particular facility is essential to your visit.
Opening hours: check the retailer or venue you actually plan to use. Centre access, shop trading hours, restaurant service and cinema screenings can differ, especially on Sundays and bank holidays.
For a full day out, start with the shops or activity that matter most, then plan food and any wider town-centre exploring around them. That is more useful than choosing a centre solely by its advertised number of shops.
Other ways to spend the day
- Rainy-day outings across Sussex compares museums and indoor alternatives to shopping.
Frequently asked questions on the best shopping centres in Sussex
Which Sussex shopping centre is a good choice for a rainy day?
The Beacon is a useful option because it combines shopping with an eight-screen cinema, restaurants and leisure businesses. Churchill Square and County Mall also offer enclosed shopping, although journeys from stations, bus stops or car parks may still involve outdoor sections.
Is there an IKEA in Brighton?
Yes. IKEA’s city-centre store at Churchill Square opened on 14 August 2025. Smaller purchases can be taken away, while larger items can be ordered for delivery or collection. Check stock and collection arrangements before travelling for a specific product.
Which Sussex shopping centre has a cinema?
The Beacon in Eastbourne has an eight-screen Cineworld. Cinemas elsewhere in Sussex may be nearby rather than part of a shopping centre, so check the venue address when planning a combined visit.
Which shopping centres are convenient by train?
County Mall is opposite Crawley station, while The Beacon is a short walk from Eastbourne station and Priory Meadow is close to Hastings station. Market Place and Churchill Square are also within walking distance of their local stations. Check station accessibility and the onward route as well as the train timetable.
Is Swan Walk in Horsham open?
Parts have reopened following the July 2026 safety closure. At the time of checking on 9 September, the centre’s published notice reported 29 retailers reopened, with work continuing. Consult its current update for the shop and entrance you need.
Is Martlets the same as Market Place in Burgess Hill?
No. They are separate shopping areas. Martlets is subject to regeneration plans, while Market Place publishes its own directory of shops and services. Check which centre contains the business you intend to visit.
Does Worthing have an indoor shopping centre?
Yes. Guildbourne Centre describes itself as Worthing’s only indoor shopping centre. It combines retailers, services and leisure businesses, and can be visited alongside the wider town-centre shopping streets.
Where can I find free parking for shopping in Sussex?
Rustington Parish Council advertises three hours’ free parking in the main shopping car parks. Conditions vary between locations, so check maximum stays, signs and any registration or validation requirements before leaving your vehicle.
Which is the best shopping centre in Sussex
It really depends on your needs, but Churchill Square is popular because it focuses on shops rather than entertainment and also has the retail experience outside on Western Road and the surrounding area. Your location is important too, it’s roughly an hour between Brighton and Eastbourne, or Crawley might be closest. Naturally the one further away would need a good reason to head towards.
Retailer lists, parking conditions, opening hours and access arrangements can change. Check the official centre, retailer and council information linked above before making a special journey.
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