A prominent site on Worthing promenade is being opened up for investment, with organisations invited to help shape its future.
Worthing Borough Council is inviting expressions of interest for the West Buildings Shelter - encouraging investors, businesses and other organisations to propose new and imaginative uses for the space.
The location offers significant potential for regeneration, with the council welcoming deliverable ideas that celebrate Worthing's coastal identity and bring new life to the seafront.
The shelter is a locally listed heritage asset located around 500 metres west of Worthing Pier. Taking inspiration from other coastal towns, the council would welcome proposals that either make use of the existing structure or replace it with a new building that is sensitive in its design and scale while, where possible, retaining key architectural features and historic elements.
Plans to develop a restaurant at the site have previously been presented to the council's planning committee by a previous developer, but they didn’t progress. The exterior of the shelter is currently used by Colonnade House, the council's studio and gallery space run in partnership with Adur & Worthing Trust, to showcase artwork by local creatives.
The opportunity forms part of the council's wider work to bring inward investment and new ideas to selected sites across Worthing. Expressions of interest are also currently being invited for land at Brooklands Park, supporting efforts to diversify the town's leisure and cultural offer, strengthen the local economy and bring underused spaces back to life.
Opening the sites to expressions of interest does not commit the council to progressing any proposal, but it does enable it to explore proposals that could enliven the seafront and be appealing for residents and visitors.
Councillor Caroline Baxter, the leader of Worthing Borough Council, said: "The West Buildings Shelter site is an important landmark on our promenade with great potential to offer more to our residents and visitors.
"We have seen this work well in other coastal towns and by opening this site up for expressions of interest, we're inviting organisations to bring forward investment proposals that will help make Worthing an even more attractive and thriving place for the benefit of all."
The expression of interest process is now open, with round one submissions invited until Sunday 20th September. A preferred proposal is expected to be selected later this year.
To find out more and apply, visit: https://property.shw.co.uk/property/details/40425/seafront-shelter-west-buildings-marine-parade-worthing-west-sussex-development-commercial
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