Worthing hoteliers criticise state of gardens

Richard Margaroli, owner of the Ardington Hotel, in Steyne Gardens, said: "I think that Steyne Gardens has for some years been over-used for staging events, and some of them are inappropriate for a refined area which has two big hotels (the Ardington and Chatsworth).

"There is a consequence of car parking problems and traffic congestion, plus many other negatives, including loud music.

"I think the council should be more selective in the scale of the events allowed to be staged in Steyne Gardens, with the recent Splash FM concert as an example."

Mr Margaroli said he was particularly opposed to a traffic order requiring that guests' cars could not be parked in Steyne Gardens, or in The Steyne, after 9am on Sunday, August 1, because the Rotary Carnival was being staged there that day.

Car moves

Also complaining about his guests having to move their cars early on Sunday was Michael Clinch, owner of the Chatsworth Hotel, in The Steyne.

"It's beyond a joke," he said.

"I fully support Rotary in raising money for charity, they do a wonderful job, but I question whether I need to tell my guests their cars have to be moved by 9am."

And Mr Clinch was furious over the litter which was left in Steyne Gardens on Monday, August 2, following the previous day's custom car show, part of the Worthing Lions' Festival, and he said it had not made a good impression on his guests.

Clean up

A Worthing Council spokeswoman said: "The organiser of the custom car show had made their own arrangement with a licensed waste carrier to manage and clear the litter generated by the event, which is in accordance with the conditions of hire for Steyne Gardens.

"Unfortunately, the site was left in an unacceptable state and certainly against the condition which says the gardens must be left in the same condition as found.

"As soon as we were aware of the situation, we arranged for our contractors to clean the garden and will be invoicing the organisers."

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