West Sussex County Council is revamping Montague Place in Worthing.
Work has begun this week to regenerate the area and make it a more attractive space for performances and public events.
The changes are designed to increase footfall and boost the local economy.
Improvements include:
- A modern new bandstand with a shell design;
- Removal of the dated rotunda seating;
- A bigger open space for public events;
- New steps on the north side of Montague Place under ‘skylar’ shelter for people to gather;
- Lighter and longer lasting coloured paving;
- Attractive wayfinder feature embedded in pavement with road names written in text;
- LED lighting in paving; and
- Stone cubes installed to stop vehicles turning into Montague Street.
Construction work will take place Monday to Friday during daytime hours.
The work is expected to take place until June.
Some disruption to Montague Place is anticipated.
However, access to shops is being maintained throughout the work, and noise and dust kept to a minimum.
Vehicles will be able to access Montague Street for loading and unloading before 10am and after 4pm, as normal.
Worthing Town Centre manager Sharon Clarke said: “Montague Street at its junction with Montague Place is the busiest pedestrian junction in Worthing and is a key area for public performance and events in the town centre.
“This space helps charities and other organisations promote their work, as it is one of the main areas where people congregate while in town.
“It’s really exciting to see this area regenerated and improved so it becomes a more usable performance space which will encourage additional activity.
“This investment to Montague Place will not only enhance the area but will improve the vitality and ambiance of the whole town centre.”
County Council Cabinet Member for Highways and Transport, John O’Brien, said: “Improvements to the outdoor environment like these helps bring energy and vibrancy to an area.
“The contemporary designs for the ‘bandshell’ and the ‘skylar’ shelter will complement each other and add to this part of Worthing.”
Worthing Borough Council’s Executive Member for Regeneration, Bryan Turner added: “Montague Place is a busy meeting space in the heart of Worthing’s continually improving shopping scene, so I’m delighted to see these works beginning.
“Once completed, I have no doubt that they will be pivotal in improving the connection between the town centre and the seafront.
“The town is experiencing a very positive upturn in interest – from businesses and families relocating to people wanting to get out on the water for an active holiday.
“This investment comes at exactly the right time to build on our firm foundations towards an even more prosperous, and vibrant, future – making the most of all that we have to offer as a retail, business and leisure destination.”
Information can be found at www.westsussex.gov.uk/montagueplace
The project will cost £1.2 million.
Funding is being split as follows:
- £800,000 – a regional growth fund allocation from the Government’s Local Economic Partnership;
- £280,000 – West Sussex County Council; and
- £120,000 – contributions arising from new developments in the local area.