Clouding over the perfect vista

What really impressed the adults, however, was the view '“ being able to spot the Isle of Wight in the west, and the Beachy Head cliffs to the east, a vista encompassing about 70 miles.

Back in the office on Monday, I was reminded of their comments when reading-up Worthing Borough Council's plans for a government-funded, 500,000 "cultural make-over" at Splash Point.

This area will be the gateway into the "active beach zone", at the heart of which will be Suncloud, a 70,000, interactive, public art installation designed to generate interest and appeal.

An artist's impression shows it consists of 33 steel poles, each about 13ft high, topped with solar-powered lights, which are triggered by motion sensors as people move around them.

My first reaction to this plan is that it's certainly going to be a view-blocker.

I am reminded of that marvellous Vicar of Dibley episode in which Dawn French decides to replace a storm-smashed, stained-glass window, with plain glass, to let the congregation enjoy a natural, beautiful outlook.

Will the Splash Point poles be an improvement on what is enjoyed now?

I'm also doubtful about the lasting appeal of this sort of project.

It could initially be successful, like gizmo toys on Christmas Day morning, which are ignored when the novelty wears off.

I hope my fears are ill-founded, because we really need worthwhile attractions to draw people to Worthing.

When it comes to culture, the town will find it hard to replicate the prestigious culture kick injected by the Elisabeth Frink heads in their prime position overlooking the much-improved Liverpool Gardens leisure area.

Will the "culture" regime at Splash Point live up to its name?

Better shopping facilities are another important magnet to attract visitors. Modern town centres have come in for a lot of stick in recent years, for "all looking the same".

But if familiar high-street names (along with others) start to disappear, then their absence won't improve the town's appearance if no-one can be found to replace them.

There has been a dismal closures story involving one town centre business after another... Woolworths, Barratts, Principles, Sussex Stationers, Rosebys, Methven's, Gamleys, Stationery Box, Forfars, to name only a few, and there are so many more premises on that list.

On the plus side, I was glad to see the town centre stores very busy on Saturday.

Another blank facade, in Chapel Road, will disappear when Tesco moves into the former Yates's Wine Lodge, and there's always the fallback of Worthing's plethora of charity outlets to cut the number of empty shop windows.

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