There are some milestones that quietly pass by.

Then there are the ones that make you stop for a moment and realise just how much has been built over time.

This week, thebestof Eastbourne officially reached 600 reviews while maintaining a 5-star reputation, and honestly, that feels incredibly special.

Not because of a number on a screen.

Because every single review represents a real person, a real interaction, a local business, an event, a recommendation, a conversation, or a moment where somebody felt we had genuinely helped in some way.

Over the years, thebestof Eastbourne has grown into far more than a business directory. It has become a platform built around visibility, community, encouragement, connection, and helping good local businesses feel seen.

From networking events and Business Boost mornings to community campaigns, charity support, local guides, blog content, social media promotion, and simply championing the people who make Eastbourne what it is, everything has always come back to one thing.

Supporting local properly.

What makes this milestone even more meaningful is that reviews are earned one person at a time. There is no shortcut to 600 genuine reviews. It comes from consistency, trust, and continuing to show up for the community year after year.

Along the way, we have had the privilege of supporting hundreds of businesses across Eastbourne and the surrounding areas, helping raise visibility, create connections, and celebrate the people behind the businesses themselves.

Some reviews came from businesses we have worked with directly.

Others came from people who attended events, used the website, discovered a local business through our content, or simply appreciated the positivity and support thebestof Eastbourne brings to the town.

Every single review matters.

On a personal level, this milestone also brought back memories of sharing moments like this with my mum before she passed away. She knew how much these milestones meant to me and would often smile after hearing about another achievement and say, “So you start chasing the next milestone right away then.”

She understood that I was never somebody who stood still for very long. Achievements never felt like an ending to me, only encouragement to work harder, support more local businesses, and keep building something worthwhile for the community.

Reaching 600 reviews also arrives at a time when local businesses need community support more than ever. Independent businesses are still navigating rising costs, changing customer habits, and increasing online competition. That is why continuing to champion local businesses remains such an important part of what we do every day.

To everyone who has supported thebestof Eastbourne, attended an event, recommended a business, shared a post, written a review, sponsored a campaign, or simply encouraged what we do along the way, thank you.

This milestone belongs to the whole community.

And we are only just getting started.