Pioneering music charity set to move into vacant Worthing town centre store

A ground-breaking charity which uses music to inspire and help youngsters is moving to Worthing.

The chief of AudioActive, which helped patron and world-famous singer Rag ‘N’ Bone man on his ladder to success, believes the town is ‘rich in talent’ - and will benefit from housing a space for musical artists and pioneering projects.

The deal was brokered by Worthing Borough Council and means the charity will take over all three floors inside the old Dorothy Perkins clothing store on Montague Road, as a workshop and performance space.

Adam Joolia, chief executive officer of AudioActive, says arts and culture organisations like his can lead to a renaissance of town centres like Worthing’s, which are facing a declining retail economy and the effect of the Covid-19 pandemic.

It supports the Council’s bid to create vibrant town centre life and attract new creative and cultural entrepreneurs.

The move has been revealed in the February 2021 edition of Adur & Worthing Councils’ BuildingAW magazine.

The digital publication aims to keep residents and businesses across both areas up-to-date with the latest developments in their communities.

It features an exclusive Q&A session with Mr Joolia, who when speaking about the inspiring plans, said: “Worthing is a great place to get things done. The Council is very open, accessible and supportive of us. We now have a great opportunity and we believe we can really achieve something in Worthing.”

The latest edition of BuildingAW includes details on the plans for 171 new homes on the former Adur Civic Centre site, which are to be submitted to Adur District Council in due course.

Cllr Brian Boggis, Adur’s Executive Member for Regeneration, said: “Last year was all about COVID - but responding to the local impact of the global pandemic has not stopped Council teams from supporting businesses and driving forward with the regeneration of our communities.

“This magazine features an update on the development at the old Civic Centre site on Brighton Road, which offers opportunities for commercial activity and local employment, as well as information on the Monks Farm and Queensway developments.”

Readers can also learn more about the exciting proposals to expand Colonnade House to help it keep up with the demand for artistic and creative space in the area.

Cllr Kevin Jenkins, Worthing Borough Council’s Executive Member for Regeneration, added: “Worthing continues to grow a strong reputation for the creative industries and the town is benefiting from investment in gigabit broadband and a growth in demand of co-working facilities. 

“The Council’s investment in Colonnade House as a creative, digital hub continues with further development that will see it grow in size and workforce capacity.

“How we work and live will continue to evolve. Worthing is well-placed to respond to these changes with a Council willing and able to make significant interventions to help harness the potential of the town.”

Read the latest issue of BuildingAW at: www.adur-worthing.gov.uk/building-aw/.