A mother was inspired to open her own shop after being dismayed by all the empty properties in her home town.

Sally Scott, 37, returned to live in Newhaven for the first time in more than two decades following the breakdown of her marriage.

She previously ran a company with her husband selling upmarket sports cars in Basingstoke.

Ms Scott, who has two children, Tim, 12, and Jasmine, ten, said: "Basingstoke is absolutely booming. The people there have more money than sense and there are loads of jobs.

"When I came back to Newhaven I was appalled by the state of the town.

"What is there here apart from the jobcentre and a few cafés?"

She blames landlords for charging too much rent and stifling the opportunity for small traders to set up a business.

Ms Scott said: "I know a girl who makes jewellery.

"Even though she lives in Newhaven she sells more to Holland than she does here because she has nowhere to sell it."

Ms Scott's shop, Sally's Quality Seconds, sells used and antique furniture from a large room at the rear of the Star Café in High Street.

She said: "The high cost of rents and rates made running a much-needed furniture store in a shop in the town almost impossible.

"By sharing the Star Café property, residents and visitors can have a coffee and have a browse at my furniture."

Ms Scott would like empty commercial property put to better use and called on landlords to give new businesses a rent-free three-months.

She said: "Woolworths was the biggest reason people came to the High Street.

"It should be turned into an arcade to give lots of small traders an opportunity to set up."

Newhaven mayor Graham Amy, who officially opened the new shop, said: "We haven't had a furniture store in the town centre for some time and I hope that this new venture can beat the recession and become a success."

Despite the economic downturn, a new Italian restaurant is opening in the town's Bridge Street and a new café has opened at the marina next door to the new fishing tackle shop.