'West End' shows the way forward
EMPTY shop windows in Worthing continue to be a depressing reminder of the economic downturn.
The so-called "West End", extending along the further reaches of Montague Street and into Rowlands Road, is experiencing its full share of credit crunch hardship, but it's encouraging that trading pessimism is not being shown by two major players on the retail scene in this part of town.
Home furnishing stores Polands and Scadgells are both flying confident flags for the future with their ambitious refurbishment projects.
The result will be an even greater incentive for people to visit a shopping area which, despite some closures, still presents a wonderfully varied selection of small businesses to complement the high street multiples which dominate the eastern end of Montague Street and beyond.
The initiatives of Scadgells and Polands follow last week's welcome announcement of a 20million redevelopment of the nearby Beach Hotel, a massive investment which will also bring new homes – and new customers – to the locality.
In the meantime, ideas like the subsidised parking scheme should be pursued by the borough council and Town Centre Initiative to keep alive local traders' faith that they are not a forgotten fringe of more-affluent areas.
The Herald trusts, though, that the Beach Hotel project will not be subject to the delays which have blighted other big development schemes in Worthing.
Teville Gate is the main example, years after a swift end to this eyesore was trumpeted.
In the current financial climate, the site owner is looking at a revised mixed-use scheme that would still be viable and retain leisure uses such as the multiplex cinema and ten-pin bowling included with the previous proposal – which, of course, also incorporated the ill-fated plan for a new municipal swimming pool.
But with consultations on a revised application not expected to take place until later this year, there is still a long, long way to go...
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Weather for Worthing
Tuesday 29 May 2012
Today
Light rain
Temperature: 11 C to 21 C
Wind Speed: 10 mph
Wind direction: West
Tomorrow
Sunny spells
Temperature: 12 C to 18 C
Wind Speed: 14 mph
Wind direction: South
