£4 million budget agreed to expand Worthing creative hub
A report's mentioned the importance of the arts in drawing visitors to the town
A budget of £4million has been approved to expand Worthing’s creative and digital hub.
Worthing Borough Council is looking to redevelop and regenerate a series of buildings next to Colonnade House to support the town’s growing creative community.
A planning application has already been submitted to provide extra floorspace to provide five new studios, two upgraded studios, a new cafe, two creative work spaces as well as meeting rooms, production space and exhibition facilities.
This will be alongside six new flats, which are planned to be used by the council as temporary and emergency accommodation.
The estimated capital cost for the scheme’s expansion is £4.05milllion and this was supported by Worthing executive members at a meeting on Tuesday (March 30).
This will now go to Full Council for final approval.
According to an officers’ report:
“Like the majority of high streets, Worthing town centre is going through a societal change and needs to diversify and provide attractions to draw residents and visitors.
“The proposed creative and digital hub will help with this agenda by reimagining an area of the town centre that is well located yet requiring attention. The expanded offer builds on the traits of the existing building, however encapsulates the need to create greater activation at ground floor level and increasing the availability of creative space.”
The existing operation is already a direct home to 13 tenants and businesses on the upper floors of Colonnade House.
Based on the extra floorspace it is anticipated a further 39 jobs will be created as a result of the project when all spaces are occupied.