Vicarage Field is part of the everyday shopping centre of Hailsham, with Waitrose, other businesses and pedestrian links between the High Street and Vicarage Lane.
On 14 October 2026, Wealden said it was reviewing consultation responses to proposed improvements before a planning application expected later in the year.
| Location | Vicarage Field, between Hailsham High Street and Vicarage Lane, East Sussex |
|---|---|
| Parking postcode | BN27 1BE for Vicarage Field East and West |
| Opening hours | Individual shops set their own hours |
| Rail connection | Polegate is the nearest station; an onward journey is needed |
| Public-space works | Proposals under development; check the council’s latest update |
What is at Vicarage Field?
Wealden District Council identifies Waitrose as the centre’s anchor store, alongside national and independent businesses. The council records its acquisition of the shopping centre in 2018. Boots lists its Hailsham branch at 23–25 Vicarage Field, BN27 1BG.
The two confirmed listings below provide starting points for a visit. They are a selected list, not a complete tenant directory. Check a particular business directly if it is the reason for your journey.
Shops and services
Selected businesses confirmed from council and retailer sources. This is not a complete Vicarage Field shop directory.
| Business | Type | Official information |
|---|---|---|
| Waitrose | Supermarket | Council centre information |
| Boots | Health and beauty; pharmacy | Boots Hailsham branch |
How to get to Vicarage Field
Address: Vicarage Field, Hailsham, East Sussex, BN27 1BE
On foot, the shopping area connects the High Street with Vicarage Lane. The council’s Hailsham travel information identifies High Street bus stops close to Vicarage Lane and Polegate as the nearest railway station, about 3.4 miles from Hailsham. Plan a bus or taxi connection rather than assuming the shops are beside a station.
For drivers, Vicarage Field East and West have different permitted stays. Choose the car park for the length of your visit, and read the signs for your particular bay.
Parking and facilities
The council’s parking directory lists a six-hour allowance for ordinary bays at Vicarage Field East, by Waitrose, and three hours at Vicarage Field West. Blue Badge bays at both are listed with three-hour limits.
Nearby Vicarage Lane has short-stay and long-stay sections. The council describes parking there as free; the long-stay area is at the bottom of the car park. Its site information also lists bicycle parking, toilets and accessible toilets. Observe the separate restrictions in the school drop-off and pick-up area.
Boots’ own branch page lists wheelchair access and an induction loop. That is information about the store, not a guarantee covering every route or unit in the precinct.
Vicarage Field also has two public toilets and a Changing Places facility next to Waitrose, opposite the doctors’ surgery. Hailsham Town Council lists opening hours of 8am to 4pm Monday to Saturday and 10am to 4pm on Sundays. The Changing Places unit has a hoist and changing table and requires a RADAR key; the adjoining toilets do not. The council confirmed reopening after repairs on 7 September 2026.
What improvements are proposed?
The current public-space proposals include paving, seating, lighting, planting, rain gardens and more accessible pedestrian routes. Building repairs cover façades, canopies, windows and cladding.
Wealden reports more than 140 consultation responses. Its October update describes improvements rather than redevelopment, without confirming a construction start. Later council notices should establish any changes to visitor access.
Allow for changes to nearby parking
A separate council proposal concerns solar canopies at Vicarage Lane car park. Check the published project updates before a visit that depends on a particular parking area; the sources checked did not establish a current closure timetable.
Planning the rest of your visit
- Langney Shopping Centre for another everyday shopping option in the Eastbourne area.
- East Sussex places to visit for ideas beyond a shopping trip.
Questions before you visit
Is Vicarage Field being replaced by a new shopping centre?
The council’s current project description is for public-space improvements and building repairs. It explicitly distinguishes the proposals from redevelopment.
Can I use one opening time for the whole area?
No. Check the business you intend to visit. Parking allowances and the opening hours of shops or facilities are separate.
For more places to shop, see our guide to shopping centres across Sussex.
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