SUNNY WORTHING
NEWS

March 2018

Welcome to the Town Centre eNewsletter 

Keep up to date on what is happening in Worthing town centre

Highlights in this newsletter
  • Giant Observation Wheel in Steyne Gardens
  • Highlights from Town Centre Survey
  • Exciting times ahead for Worthing Town Centre
  • The Worthing Hospitality Federation reforms and is open for membership
  • Business Crime Reduction updates 
  • Events update
 

 
GIANT OBSERVATION WHEEL
STEYNE GARDENS
 
Worthing Borough Council have announced that a giant observation wheel is set to roll into Worthing this Easter.
 
Visitors to the south coast will get the chance to go spinning high into the air as the temporary attraction is brought to Steyne Gardens.
 
Standing at 35 metres high, the wheel is one of the tallest transportable attractions of it's type currently available in the UK - giving those boarding the chance to see up to ten miles in the distance.
 
The 144-capacity attraction is set to operate from 24th March to 15th April, which includes the Easter holidays.
 
As well as bringing many tourists into the town, the attraction is expected to generate revenue for local businesses as well as rental income for Worthing Borough Council.

The 24-pod wheel, which is silent when it spins, will operate between 10am and 10pm, seven days a week.  It will be run by the Giant Wheel Company who are based in Manchester and have a track-record of bringing similar attractions to cities across the UK.
 
Journeys will take approximately ten minutes and a standard ticket will cost £5 with concessions for children and OAPs.
   


HIGHLIGHTS FROM THE TOWN CENTRE SURVEY

During February the Worthing Town Centre Initiative were surveying the public on their use and thoughts of the Town Centre.
 
Nearly 1000 responses were received and huge thanks everyone that took the time to complete the survey. This information will be used by the Worthing Town Centre Initiative Steering Committee, during its upcoming strategy day, to ensure that as much as possible is being done to encourage people into the Town to visit and spend.

Here are a few highlights
  • 57% of people surveyed visit at least once a week
  • Virtually every aspect of town life, we asked the public to score out of 10, had improved compared to the last survey -  the only exception was the quality of the retail offer
  • The highest score out of 10 was feeling safe during the day
  • The lowest score out of 10 was parking
  • 53% of people come into town for a daytime visit by car, followed by 27% walking and 15% by bus
  • 49% of people come into town for an evening visit by car, followed by 22% walking and 11% by taxi.  
  • 67% of people, who visit during the day, have shopping as their primary reason to visit..
  • The main reason to visit in the evening is more widely split but bars, at nearly 25%, just takes the top spot.
  • Brighton is the main town respondents go to with 2/3rds regularly visiting.  Chichester is 2nd and Rustington 3rd.  
  • The survey asked about what else people did while they were in town and around-30% during the day and 40% in the evening did nothing other than their primary reason to visit.
  • On average people spend £2 less, on additional spend per visit, in the evening compared to daytime.
  • In both the daytime and evening people visiting for a meal, as the primary reason to visit, spend more on additional activities while they are in town.
  • People who are visiting, or have moved from other areas, tend to be far more positive about the town than people who have lived in Worthing for a long time.
 

 
EXCITING TIMES AHEAD
For Worthing Town Centre 

I am sure everyone has seen the news that Teville Gate is currently being demolished !  The developers are finalising their planning application for the new look Station Square but Worthing Borough Council have started the demolition of the Car Park in readiness. Mosaique, who own the site, have now applied to demolish the remainder of the buildings and it looks as if things are finally moving forward on this problematic site.      
   
On top of this Worthing Borough Council and West Sussex County Council are working together in bringing forward further public realm improvement works in the Town Centre.  These enhancements will be so important in ensuring Worthing offers a quality social shopping experience helping it to reduce the impact of internet shopping !  The Council is hoping to start some works at the end of the Year.
 

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WORTHING HOSPITALITY FEDERATION
ITS BACK !!
 
The hospitality sector is an important part of any Town Centre and some of the Restaurants, Cafes, Hotels and Guest Houses have come together to resurrect the Worthing Hospitality Federation.  

As highlighted in the press  recently there are currently many challenges facing hospitality businesses..  The Federation would like everyone to work together to find solutions to local problems as well as raising issues with the Local Authority and Government to help hospitality businesses thrive.

The WHF is currently asking businesses in the Hospitality Sector to become members and to get involved.  CLICK HERE to see the letter from Andy Sparsis the Founder Chair of the organisation.

If your business is in the hospitality sector and you would like to join please contact Phil Duckett by email phil@worthingpier.co.uk  



BUSINESS CRIME REDUCTION  
UPDATE
   
There have been a number of break-ins relating to business premises in the early hours of the morning.  The perpetrators target cash left in tills and charity boxes which leads us to believe there is a drug link.  Quite often only a small amount of money is taken but the cost for repairs to property have been significant.  On a positive note there have been a number of leads and an arrest in relation to these incidents so we are hopeful the situation will improve.  We would just like to remind you that it is good practise not to leave cash on the premises overnight.and to keep tills and charity boxes out of sight when you are closed.

Don't forget if you haven't got DISC yet you can have this at no cost just by completing a Data Protection form.  DISC will give you access to photographs of known offenders and the ability to report crimes directly to Sussex Police which will mean no more calls to 101.  If you would like to find out more about DISC then please email steve@worthingtowncentre.co.uk

Steve our Business Crime Co-coordinator has an extensive background with the Police and is able to offer a site survey and advise to improve security - please contact him to arrange a visit.
 

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#SCRATCHPAD REVIEW EVENT 
21st March 2018 - 5pm to 7pm
   
The Worthing Town Centre Initiative have been delighted to be a sponsor of t he #Scratchpad project which has been running at Colonnade House for nearly six weeks.  The project supports young people in Worthing to develop their music skills and we know that quality music is a key to attracting people into Worthing's venues.
 
As part of the project there is a review of what's next for live music in Worthing? This early evening event will feature panel discussions about developing talent and infrastructure for live music in Worthing, and will include music from the #Scratchpad project. 
 
If developing music in Worthing interests you then this is an important event to attend.
CLICK HERE to find out more an book tickets  

 

WORTHING CARNIVAL 
AUGUST BANK HOLIDAY WEEKEND
   
The Great little Farmers Market CIC will be organising the street market for popular Rotary Carnival this year.  The Market will run along the seafront on Sunday 26th August and Monday 27th August and the organisers are looking for local traders to take part.

If you would like to find out more please contact the organiser by email
 

The Worthing Town Centre Initiative
12 The Steyne
Worthing
West Sussex BN11 3DS

Telephone 01903 203252