Eastbourne business set to bring £10 million investment to Sussex

Goscombe, an Eastbourne-based housing company with social values ‘at the very core of their model’, has partnered with OSCO Homes from Manchester to bring investment to Sussex in the form of a new manufacturing hub.

The hub will being bring ‘much needed new social and affordable homes’, according to Goscombe.

Alistair Wickens, Goscombe founder and CEO, said the precise location cannot be confirmed yet but the company is negotiating over a number of out-of-town sites in association with Locate East Sussex and local authorities.

Chris Moore, from Homes England, said “The Goscombe model has the potential to radically change the way affordable housing is delivered and sustainable communities are created.”

Goscombe says the £10 million investment will create 300 local jobs and apprenticeships, significant investment in local grassroots charities and will increase the number of affordable homes across Sussex.

The aim is to build up to 500 homes every year – creating more than £100 milion of economic and social value which will benefit the people of Sussex.

Mr Wickens, said, “Goscombe is not only bringing innovative housing expertise into the heart of Sussex but as a profit-with purpose organisation, we will do business differently by placing social value at the very core of our model.

“When the scale of our social impact is combined with the affordability of our homes it is clear we have a powerful economic model which is hugely significant for local authorities.”

He said Goscombe is ‘all about social impact’ and the company is made up of ‘local business people with a genuine interest in seeing this area of East Sussex prosper’.

Mr Wickens said, “Goscombe is a new Eastbourne company built on the principle that business can be a force for good. We commit to redistributing a proportion of our profits to drive social impact and deliver community projects which strengthen local communities.”

Gwen Beeken, OSCO Homes managing director, said, “Goscombe has developed a way of delivering quality homes in tandem with a very significant and genuine investment into the social welfare and communities of Sussex. Their approach is unique and we’re delighted to have been selected as their partner.”

Philip Johnson, director of Locate East Sussex, added, “It’s great to see investment delivered at this scale by a Sussex-based company. There are already a number of local authorities and private developers in discussion with Goscombe which will keep the new production hub busy for many years to come, giving employment to local people and driving the local supply chain here in East Sussex.”