Most of the standard high street shops are concentrated around a compact pedestrian area in Terminus Road. Look out for the florist in the street on Fridays and Saturdays. More shops are inside the the pleasant well run and clean Arndale Centre. Access into the centre is through Boots or Marks and Spencer or via three other doorways from the street. There are mobility scooters available in the centre - just ask one of the helpful uniformed staff.
For less conventional shopping and more boutiques try the Enterprise Centre which is a short walk up Terminus Road just beyond the train station. There are some neat little shops including one selling everything you would ever need for cake decorating, a fancy dress shop and a florist. Just across the car park is an interesting antiques and bric-a-brac shop. For more of these take a trip along Seaside Road and Pevensey Road.
In the opposite direction along Teminus Road you will find the seafront and more tourist shops. For delicious real Italian ice-cream and coffee you can't beat Fusciadi's on the seafront, just east of the pier. Further east along the seafront you will find the inshore Lifeboat Station and next to that is a wonderful fish mongers. They have a huge variety of seasonal produce fresh from the trawler-men together with other more exotic choices. Making a purchase here is also a form of entertainment as you join in the friendly banter with the staff and local customers.
Also not to be ignored are the out of town shopping areas. The Crumbles is situated on an easy bus route along the coast road (A259) east of the town towards Pevansey Bay. Here you will find a multi screen cinema, a big 24 hr ASDA and a good selection of other shops including two large sports stores, bedding & furniture shops a big Next and Brantano for shoes. Attached to the Crumbles is the popular Waterfront area of Sovereign harbour. This has a range of novelty and souvenir stores, a ships chandelry and a variety of restaurants including a Harvester. Parking for both the Crumbles and The Waterfront is plentiful and free. BUT do not park in disabled bays without a blue badge or you will get clamped.
Other supermarkets are 24hr Tesco and Sainsbury's both on the outskirts of the town, Sainsbury's shares a small retail park with both a Currys and a Comet. Whilst Tesco is next to a big Aggos and a Home Base DIY store. There is a smallish Waitrose in the Old Town area which again is on the A259 but west of the town towards Brighton.
Slightly further afield is the fantastic farm shop Middle Farm. This is on the A27 towards Lewes. You will probably need to drive as the buses are very infrequent and it is quite a hike to the nearest station. Make sure you agree who is going to be the driver home because after you have tasted the free samples in the cider barn you are going to be over the limit. You will also be tempted by free samples of the huge variety of cheeses. The farm shop has a wide range of fresh organic produce and a selection of delicious pies and pastries. There is also a children's farm and an interesting craft and toy shop. All the staff are friendly and helpful and there are seasonal events such as apple pressing in the Autumn.
Alternatively for more crafts and home made items try the Old Loom Mill which is on the Ersham Road between Polegate and Hailsham In addition to many locally made gifts there is a Fabric warehouse and wool shop. On the way to the Old Loom you will pass a large garden centre with an aquatics department where you can see and buy a surprising variety of goldfish.
Back in Eastbourne good places to eat are "Bibendum" a gourmet pub in south Street near the Town hall; The cafe in TJ hughes which is clean and cheerful as well as good value and the "Qualisea" Fish and chips on Terminus Road are the best in town.
