Shopping centre evacuated over suspected gas leak

A shopping centre has evacuated customers after a suspected gas leak in the area.

West Sussex Fire and Rescue Service said it was responding to a "smell of gas" at The Martlets in Burgess Hill, with the area evacuated including the nearby Market Place Shopping Centre.

A spokesperson for the shopping centre said it had closed "as a precautionary measure" on the advice of emergency services.

The closure is "to ensure the safety of our community, shoppers, retailers, and staff", it added.

A fire service spokesperson added: "The building has been evacuated, and a cordon is in place while crews carry out investigations. Sussex Police are also in attendance.

"We would urge everyone in the area to adhere to the cordon."

A spokesperson for SGN said it would repair the leak once it had found its source, but that it was "too soon to say how long this may take".

The Martlets Shopping Centre has been "largely empty" for many years, with plans to include it in a town centre revamp of Burgess Hill first proposed about 20 years ago.

Mid Sussex District Council voted in 2024 to enter into joint venture with developers to get the scheme off the ground.

The council said in July that work on the plans were "expected to begin later this year" if conditions are met.

"The project is moving forward despite challenging economic and public funding conditions", it added.

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