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Rye was once a thriving trading port and
strategic garrison town with a defensive naval Rye Wharf
force protecting England’s medieval south coast
but that was 600 years ago. During the centuries
that followed, the effect of violent storms in a million square feet of clean, dry and secure
storage facilities and office space. The 30-acre
the Channel and land reclamation combined to
block the port entrance and the open sea site makes an attractive base for businesses
wanting to take advantage of the skilled
gradually receded two miles.
workforce, low cost housing, proximity to
As maritime trade dwindled, the town became London, and excellent transport links to
increasingly reliant on tourism and its attraction mainland Europe.
as a destination for visitors and holidaymakers.
With the capacity to accommodate large
However, there are encouraging signs that the vessels up to 90 metres in length, the fully
ancient Cinque Port of Rye might once again functioning dock enables companies to ship
become a hive of activity and an international a wide variety of goods around the world.
trade hub. Rastrum Ltd, established in 1996 Imported talc from China and decorative stone
and one of the largest privately owned for Longrake Spa from Europe and also
employers in the locality, has been a major aggregate from Europe, milling wheat exports
Rye Harbour: Rye’s Hidden Gem force in the redevelopment of Rye Wharf in to Rotterdam and Belfast, and concrete
recent years, helping to bring the area back
sections for sea defences, are just some of the
to life. goods to have been handled by Rye Wharf.
The once dormant wharf, looking neglected There will be a new industrial development
and without a ship to be seen, is now a busy in 2021 with additional units built to
enterprise covering in excess of one quarter of accommodate all new businesses.
Just a mile and a half outside Rye, at the mouth expert to enjoy the surroundings but if you do want
of the river Rother, sits Rye Harbour. It’s a quirky to learn more, there is an information office with
collection of Victorian and modern cottages with friendly staff who’ll tell you which birds to look out Atlas Business Park
its own sailing club, large donation-based car park, for and supply you with guides to the flora and RASTRUM Ltd
art gallery and a couple of pubs. fauna you might encounter. HARBOUR ROAD, RYE,
EAST SUSSEX, TN31 7TE
Shipping & Warehousing
The harbour has something for everyone: if you Many of the artists who live around the bay are
ike nature there is a beautiful reserve in which to influenced by the changing vistas of sea, sky and email: clive.c@ryewharf.co.uk
lose yourself and the cares of the world for a day. the wildlife of the area. This influence is reflected or donnab@ryewharf.co.uk
tel: 01797 224778
Beach-lovers need only walk to the end of the in the work they produce, which often features www.ryewharf.co.uk
tarmac road to find the gorgeous Rye bay sweeping seascapes, sea birds and the restful colours of
round to Fairlight cliffs and to enjoy the soothing the coast. Many local artists exhibit their work Offices • Industrial Units
sound of surf on shingle. If art is your thing, at Avocet Gallery. The gallery is open Friday to New Industrial Development in 2018
Avocet Gallery shows the work of over 60 local Sunday and it regularly changes its exhibitions; it to accommodate all new businesses
professional artists, ceramicists, photographers also serves fabulous homemade cakes, light lunches Storage Space • Industrial Park
and print-makers and, if you are a history buff, and excellent coffee. If a pub lunch is more you 24-Hour Security
the village has a Napoleonic-era Martello tower, cup of tea, the busy William the Conqueror looks Caravan and Boat Storage
old pill-boxes from WWII and the wonderful onto the river, has plenty of outdoor seating and from £10 per week
tar-covered Watch House, established to stamp specialises in Greek cooking.
out the smuggling that was once rife in the area.
All in all Rye Harbour makes a perfect day out if you “The cheapest and the best”
The nature reserve is a real haven of peace and are visiting the area… so why not come and see us Storage space available in Rye
quiet if you want to get away from it all. It is also sometime? Self storage containers to suit all puposes
home to exceptionally rare birds, insects and flora. from £18 +VAT per week
The vegetated shingle, which makes up much of the Avocet Gallery 24-hour access and security
reserve, is an unusual environment and some of the Open Friday to Sunday Offices and Business Units from 500 to 10,000 square feet
species that exist here are found in only one or two 01797 223005 Call now for further information
other sites in the country. You don’t need to be an www.avocetgalleryandtea.co.uk 01797 222277 Rye Wharf, Harbour Road, Rye,
East Sussex TN31 7TE
photo: Peter Greenhalf
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