New Visitor Guide for Worthing                  

Worthing’s reputation as a coastal town on the up has been reinforced with the publication of a new visitor guide.

From walks on the South Downs to kitesurfing, family cycle rides to fantastic independent shopping, the south coast town is stepping out of the shadows and back onto the mainstage as a destination to rival its south coast neighbours.

The launch of the Discover Worthing Visitor Guide for 2018/19 by Worthing Borough Council coincides with English Tourism Week (17 - 25 March).

Reflecting the wealth of hidden treasures and renewed vibrancy of the town, the booklet compliments new bright, bold branding and a visually inspiring Discover Worthing website launched last year.

With outdoor life at the heart of it, the guide also celebrates the town’s vintage shopping, quirky independent arts and local Sussex produce - all of which promotes Worthing as the ideal destination for a ‘getting away from it all break’ just a stone’s throw from London.

Councillor Kevin Jenkins, Worthing Borough Council’s Executive Member for Regeneration, said: “Our Visitor Guide for 2018/19 is colourful and eye catching, it brings together in one read the wealth of opportunities that a visit to Worthing offers families, walkers, the water enthusiast or those who wish to just enjoy the beauty and peace of our seafront.

“There is so much on offer in Worthing and nearby in the Sussex countryside, there cannot be a better time to come and Discover Worthing.”

The A5 visitor guide printed in soft tones, in an uncoated matt finish promotes a friendly, gentle paced, quality destination - an opportunity to escape the digital world, reconnect and get back to nature.

Discover Worthing has teamed up with Take One Media to distribute the guide across the South East of England.

The Guide will be available at key attractions and accommodation providers across the South East, at the Central London Information point, key service stations on the M25, M23 as well as on ferries from Dover / Calais over the high season.

Nigel Smith, Chief Executive, Tourism South East, said: “The new Discover Worthing Visitor Guide is a comprehensive and stylish presentation of one of the south coast’s most popular coastal towns.

“However, as well as expounding on all the things you would expect from Worthing – iconic Georgian architecture, the seaside Pier and lots of family activities – it also explores the contemporary, modern and energetic Worthing that attracts visitors of all ages throughout the year.

“It also sets Worthing in the context of one of England’s most beautiful counties – Sussex – so there are lots more things to see and do nearby, from walking on the South Downs National Park to visiting Brighton, one of the UK’s most vibrant cities.”

Seafood and Live Blues

Our famous indigo Seafood and Live Blues event is back for Good Friday by popular demand. 

Enjoy a plethora of delicious seafood with friends and family whilst delighting in the vocal talents of Amelia supported by David on the keys! 

March 30th at 12:00pm - 2:00pm

Advanced booking with £10.00 per person deposit non-refundable 

£2.95 cover charge per person

Ardington Hotel - 01903 230451

reservations@ardingtonhotel.co.uk

www.indigorestaurant.info 

Have you say on new multi-million pound Worthing health hub

Plans for a new health hub in the centre of Worthing are set to go on display to the public next week.

In a bid to make best use of its land and improve the quality of care received by patients, Worthing Borough Council is developing a proposal to create a one-stop hub on part of the town hall car park in Stoke Abbott Road.

The £18.5 million investment in public services could see brand new facilities providing primary care, such as GP surgeries, alongside mental health and community services.

Initial proposals will go on display on Wednesday March 21 from 2pm to 8pm in the Richmond Rooms of Worthing Assembly Hall. All are welcome.

Councillor Dan Humphreys, Leader of Worthing Borough Council, said: “This is an excellent example of how the council is using its resources and excellent relationships with health sector partners to invest in our town.

“Worthing needs new, modern health facilities that are large enough to cater for our growing population and will ensure residents receive the best possible public services.

“I look forward to seeing the initial plans and hope as many people as possible will come to the session to share their views.”

The 1.5 hectare site on the corner of Stoke Abbott Road and Christchurch Road is currently used for parking by town hall staff.

The plan was given initial backing by councillors in December 2016, who released funding received through the Cabinet Office’s One Public Estate programme.

Since then officers have been working with partners in the NHS and the community to investigate the feasibility of a proposed development.

Initial plans on display at the public consultation will give an outline of the proposal and details on how it will develop moving forward.

Any comments will be used to help shape the final development before a planning application is submitted to Worthing Borough Council later this year.

Work could start in spring 2019 with the building complete by the end of 2020.

BBC Introducing in line-up for music event

Following on from the #Scratchpad project at Colonnade House the spotlight is on the next generation of musical artists with an event called What Next? At St Paul’s, Worthing that aims to bring together young musicians, venues and producers in Worthing.

Speakers confirmed include Casey Heyburn (BBC Introducing), Chloe Brookes (Arts Council England), Alex Bailey (CEO Adur & Worthing Councils) , Elijah (Butterz & Lighthouse) and the evening will focus on the ingredients for a diverse contemporary music scene and how they can be brought together in Worthing.

BBC Introducing has been a first step in the careers of artists like Ed Sheeran, Slaves & Rizzle Kicks who attended AudioActive projects in their teens and are now Patrons of the #Scratchpad partner organisation. Uploaded tracks get sent to the BBC's local radio shows where they get listened to by the team of local presenters and producers. If they like them the tracks could get broadcast on local stations and even propelled onto the national stage through BBC Radio 1, 1Xtra, Radio 2, 6 Music, Radio 3, Asian Network and World Service.

Grime label Butterz was set up by DJ’s Elijah and Skilliam in 2007 and helped bring instrumental grime to the forefront of the electronic music scene, being ranked as one of the 10 Best Record Labels in 2011. Elijah is currently Associate Artistic Director at Lighthouse in Brighton curating and producing Last Dance, a new nationwide programme that examines the artistic and social importance of club culture.

As well as the speakers and debate, there is a chance to hear from upcoming local musicians who had the opportunity to meet and jam with AudioActive Patron Rag’n’Bone Man early on in the #Scratchpad project, when the Brit Award Winning blues man paid a surprise visit to the project at Colonnade House in January.

Places at this event are free - register here: https://whatnextworthing.eventbrite.co.uk

You will also be able to hear the music that’s been made during #Scratchpad at an outdoors event in the afternoon on Saturday 24th March in Montague Place, and at an evening of urban electronic music at Bar 42 on Thursday 12th April.

#Scratchpad is a partnership project between Adur & Worthing Trust, AudioActive, Northbrook Metropolitan College, As Described and Adur & Worthing Councils with generous funding from Arts Council England, Worthing Town Centre Initiative and Worthing Community Chest.

Did the Spring Statement do enough for SMEs?

The Spring Statement has been well received by the small business sector, but could the Chancellor have done more to help SMEs, especially with regard to late payment?

In the run up to the Spring Statement, small businesses were crying out for action on late payment. The Chancellor delivered, announcing that there will be a review into an issue that, according to the Federation of Small Businesses, closes an estimated 50,000 businesses every year and costs the economy £2.5 billion annually. The move has been applauded and rightly so, however, small business owners won’t be hanging out the bunting just yet. Talk of combating late payment has rarely been followed up by meaningful action.

Nevertheless, the mention of the issue at such a level is an indication that it is being taken seriously. Furthermore, the Spring Statement included positive news with regard to business rates, training, apprenticeships and tax and VAT. In short, after a series of disappointing Budgets, there is a lot more for small businesses owners to be optimistic about.

That said, SMEs will be mindful of the timetable attached to the government’s promises. At the moment, there is no information on when a review of late payment might take place and while the next business rates revaluation has been brought forward, it still won’t take place until 2021. It is very much the case that small businesses need help sooner rather than later.

The Chancellor’s statement with regard to economic growth underlines the urgency surrounding assistance for the small business sector. While the growth forecast for 2018 has been increased, at 1.5% it remains low, and perhaps most tellingly, the forecasts for the years ahead, already lower, have been further reduced. This suggests that conditions are set to remain challenging as Brexit-borne uncertainty continues to negatively impact the market.

With this outlook in mind, for all the optimism attached to the Spring Statement, there is the sense that a few more details and a little more urgency could have gone a long way to assuring SMEs that the help that they need will arrive in time. Because it seems clear that these businesses will need all the resources available to them in order to successfully navigate some choppy economic waters in the coming years.

These resources have to include an awareness of and easy access to alternative finance, which is helping small business raise capital to fund vital investment and maintain cashflow. For example, invoice finance is being used to manage the impact of late payment, while peer-to-peer lending is a means of accessing money to fund training and purchase new equipment.

Overall, the Spring Statement has been positive for small business owners and has brought the promise of much-needed action on key issues. Perhaps the next Budget will build on these developments. All eyes are on the government.

To find out more about A&T Business Associates services, contact Tony on 01903 602211 or tony@atbusinessassociates.co.uk.

Demolition of Worthing’s Teville Gate underway

Work to demolish a landmark Worthing site which is primed for redevelopment is underway.

For years, the privately-owned multi-storey and surrounding buildings at Teville Gate have been an eyesore for residents and visitors to the town.

To save taxpayers money in the long run, the local authority is stepping in to demolish the outdated and expensive-to-maintain 1960s car park which it leases on the land.

A 47 ton 360° excavator began the demolition by tearing off the roof of the former Bed King mattress kiosk.

Once demolished, the council plan to turn the land into a temporary car park to generate a short-term income, while private owner Mosaic brings forward a detailed proposal for the plot it calls Station Square.

Councillor Kevin Jenkins, Worthing Borough Council’s Executive Member for Regeneration, said: ““The demolition of Teville Gate marks a real turning point. It’s a clear statement of intent from the council that Worthing is open for  business.”

“ As a town, Worthing needs to move forward into the 21st century, making the best use of sites such as Teville Gate for future generations. This council led progress is just the beginning of what will be a number of important initiatives across the town.”

To speed up the the process, the council agreed to consider demolition plans at a town hall meeting in September 2017.

At the time, councillors heard that the current multi-storey car park has significant maintenance issues, requiring an investment of £2 million over the next four years to keep it fully open.

The £1.6 million demolition cost will be funded from the Local Growth Fund provided by the Coast to Capital Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP).

Access to the site was closed in January and blue hoardings have been erected around the perimeter.

Councillors signed off on the appointment of Hughes and Salvidge to carry out the work last month.

As well as the multi-storey, owners Mosaic want to knock down the kiosk, Burfree House and Fleet House.

The contractors have been busy preparing the buildings for demolition and have now begun the process of slowly dismantling them.

The next stage is to soft strip the buildings, which involves removing all of the non structural elements inside and out. Once this is complete, the contractors will begin the structural demolition of the car park and Bed King.

Every effort will be made to keep noise and dust to a minimum. A vertical crane will hang a solid mat to stop foreign object debris escaping from the site and a DustBoss machine will release fine particles of water to dampen it down.

Work is expected to take place between 8am and 6pm on Monday to Friday and from 8am to 1pm on Saturday.

Monarflex sheeting will be wrapped around the scaffolding to keep dust in and will also act as a noise barrier.

Councillor Diane Guest, Worthing Borough Council’s Executive Member for Environment, said: “Teville Gate is one of the gateways to Worthing and its demolition after so many years marks a real catalyst for change. It’s great to see cranes back in the town centre .”

“As Member for Environment, I’m also thrilled that 96% of materials from the site will be recycled to use on other construction projects.”

If all goes according to plan, the demolition of the site should be completed in 16-20 weeks.

Utilise Plus Grants - Apply Today! 

Save money and energy this winter with a grant of between £1,000 and £5,000 to fund an energy-saving project in your organisation. Applications for our current funding round close soon so register your interest today.

Spring offer from Subway EPS

Call 01903 200301 or Email studio@subwayeps.com to order now!

Views wanted on Sompting Neighbourhood Plan

Sompting residents are invited to have their say on a new local planning blueprint which will guide development in their area.

As they look to shape the place where they work and live, the community has been working on the neighbourhood plan since 2012.

The document, which must work alongside national policies and the recently adopted Adur Local Plan, is now being made available for public consultation.

The community can give their views on the document from today (February 19) until midnight on April 8, 2018.

Once all comments are in, the plan will be placed under examination and finally put to a referendum prior to adoption. More than 51% of those voting must be in favour for it to be adopted.

The Sompting Neighbourhood Plan covers all of Sompting Parish, which lies within the planning remit of Adur District Council and South Downs National Park Authority. As the planning authority with the largest population of these two, Adur is overseeing the consultation process.

Government guidelines state the plan cannot say it wants less housing than what has been allocated - meaning it cannot oppose the development of land at West Sompting allocated in the Adur Local Plan.

The neighbourhood blueprint can guide the design and type of housing that is created though, along with guiding future provision of community facilities and open space.

Copies of the document are available to read online and at the Harriet Johnson Community Centre in Sompting, Portland House in Worthing, and the Shoreham Centre. Notices have also been posted across the area, including on local notice boards.

For more details and to comment on the plan, visit www.adur-worthing.gov.uk/sompting-neighbourhood-plan

Public will be listened to on Union Place

Worthing leaders have pledged to take public feedback into consideration as they drive forward proposals to revamp a key town centre site.

Frustrated with the lack of movement at Union Place, Worthing Borough Council made the bold move to acquire the site for £3.5 million last month.

Since then, work has begun to safely secure the area with new hoardings now in place.

Keen to push on with an ambitious agenda of creating jobs and homes, the council is continuing to work hard on bringing forward major long-term plans within the next 12 months.

With more than 20,000 people reading articles about the council buying the site and nearly 100 providing comments on what any redevelopment should include, local authority leaders have pledged to listen to the public when bringing forward major plans.

Councillor Kevin Jenkins, Worthing Borough Council’s Executive Member for Regeneration, said: “From the wonderful to the slightly wacky, the public feedback we have had has been incredible - it clearly shows how much local residents feel invested in seeing the redevelopment of this key town centre site.

“Now we own the site, we are in control of our own destiny. But it’s still crucial that we weigh up all options before pursuing our next move.

“I look forward to working with the public as we push forward with our ambitious plans which I believe will begin a new chapter of prosperity for our town.”

Union Place is adjacent to the High Street, opposite Waitrose and next to the council-owned Connaught Theatre and leased car park.

It was the home of the town’s police station but, when that was closed and demolished in 2009, the 1.4 hectare site became vacant and derelict.

Worthing Borough Council bought the site from the private owner last month. By combining it with the car park which sits on land the local authority already owns, the next step is to work with other partners to bring forward deliverable proposals for the whole site.

Already the council has received dozens of comments through social media channels on what should be done with the land.

Scott Gair said: “Let’s take this fantastic opportunity to do something different with our wonderful town. Lets add a new reason for locals and visitors to get out and enjoy our place...Something unique that distinguishes us from our neighbours would be a good start. Off the top of my head - indoor ski slope...rock climbing wall, you could do a huge indoor adventure playground...top notch spa perhaps? The choices are endless and exciting.”

Jo Edwards said: “Please let's have a full size ice rink - capable of ice hockey and ice dance. There is nothing like that anywhere near here and would bring people from Chichester, Horsham and Brighton in, as well as providing new sporting and social facilities.”

Mark Dibley said: “I think the council should consolidate the existing retail and concentrate on making Worthing a family holiday destination.”

Victoria Harvey said: “An aquarium, treetop adventure park, ice rink, tiny town, indoor skate park, bowling alley, laser tag, youth/urban art space, youth centre. Not a multiplex but potentially a proper IMAX.”

Alan Spencer said: “We need quality in our town...John Lewis or House of Fraser.”

In response, Councillor Jenkins said: “I will repeat what I said when we bought the site: all options remain open to us at this stage. We will listen to everyone’s views and suggestions, but recognise we will never please everybody. But the main thing is that we ensure the best possible result for the people of Worthing.”