Sight Support Worthing brings Vegas glamour to Worthing with spectacular fundraising event

Sight Support Worthing is inviting the local community to enjoy the excitement and glamour of Las Vegas at its upcoming fundraising event, One Night in Vegas, taking place on Friday 11th September 2026 at The Charmandean Centre, Worthing.

The special fundraising evening promises a memorable night of entertainment, dining and Vegas-inspired fun while raising vital funds to support people living with sight loss across Worthing and the surrounding areas.

Guests will arrive in style with a red carpet welcome and professional photography, before enjoying a welcome drink and trying their luck at the roulette table. A close-up magician will also be on hand to entertain during the evening.

The event includes a three-course dinner followed by live entertainment from some of West Sussex’s best-loved tribute acts.

Well-known local performer Ivor Potter will take to the stage with his hugely popular Suspiciously Elvis act – a familiar face to many following previous performances for Sight Support Worthing – as well as appearing as Suspiciously Tom Jones. Joining him will be tribute artist Hayley Newberry, performing as country music icon Shania Twain.

The evening will also feature a silent auction and raffle, giving guests further opportunities to support the charity’s work.

Tickets are priced at £70 per person, with tables of ten available for £650, making the event ideal for families, groups of friends and corporate hosting.

All funds raised will support Sight Support Worthing’s services for people living with sight loss, helping individuals remain independent, connected and confident.

Myra Jasper, Head of Events, Sight Support Worthing, said:

“One Night in Vegas promises to be a fantastic evening and we’re excited to bring something truly special to Worthing. Every ticket sold helps support local people living with sight loss, so we hope the community will join us for what will be an unforgettable night.”

The event is kindly sponsored by Brandler Galleries.

Event details:

One Night in Vegas
Friday 11th September 2026
6.30pm – 11.30pm
The Charmandean Centre, Worthing
Tickets: £70pp | Table of 10: £650

Carpenter Box supports Davison CE High School students through Dare to Dream programme

As part of its community impact work, Carpenter Box, part of the Sumer group, took part in the Love Local Jobs Foundation’s Dare to Dream programme, supporting and mentoring 15 Year 9 students from Davison CE High School for Girls in Worthing through a series of interactive sessions. The programme also included year-group assemblies delivered by footballer Rhian Cleverly to more than 250 students.

Dare to Dream gives students the chance to hear from inspiring role models, explore their strengths and ambitions, and build the confidence and practical skills they need as they prepare for the future.

The 15 students selected for the mentoring programme took part in a series of sessions with five female mentors from Carpenter Box. The mentors visited the school before welcoming the students to the firm’s Worthing office for a workplace visit. During the visit, students gained an insight into life at a professional services firm, explored the range of careers available within accountancy and took part in a business case study.

The visit also included a Q&A session with Meghan Clark from Carpenter Box's tax team and Katie Sanders from StarBox, the firm's specialist accountancy service for influencers, content creators and businesses in the creator economy. They shared their own career journeys and answered questions about working in the profession.

Liz Tarsey, Careers Leader at Davison CE High School, commented: “Working in partnership with Carpenter Box and the Love Local Jobs Foundation has been a truly positive and inspiring experience for our students. The opportunity for our Year 9 students to engage with successful female mentors, have personalised and tailored conversations, and take part in meaningful workshops has had a lasting impact on their confidence and awareness of the opportunities available to them.”

Rhian Cleverly, Programme Delivery Consultant from the Love Local Jobs Foundation, added: "As I reflect on completing our first Dare to Dream programme with Carpenter Box and Davison CE High School, I'm reminded of exactly why I love what I do.

Seeing more than 250 students engage with the programme through the assembly, while working more closely with 15 girls in the mentoring sessions, has been incredibly rewarding. It has been a genuine privilege to lead this all-female programme and work alongside both Carpenter Box and Davison CE High School.”

Kira McKinney, Marketing and Communications Director at Carpenter Box said: “We are proud to have supported such a valuable initiative and to have played a part in helping young women build confidence and think positively about their future. Our staff volunteers found the experience hugely rewarding, and it was a pleasure to work with the Love Local Jobs Foundation, Davison CE High School and Rhian Cleverly to bring the programme to life.”

Could Your Business Be a Future King's Award Winner?

Businesses across Worthing, Adur and West Sussex are being encouraged to consider applying for the prestigious King's Awards for Enterprise 2026, the UK's highest official recognition for business achievement.

The King's Awards celebrate outstanding success across a range of areas, recognising organisations that demonstrate excellence, innovation and positive impact. Winning businesses benefit from enhanced credibility, increased profile and national recognition, helping to open doors to new opportunities both in the UK and overseas.

The five award categories for 2026 are:

• Young Founder
• Innovation
• International Trade
• Sustainability
• Promoting Opportunity through Social Mobility

This year sees the introduction of the Young Founder category, recognising the achievements of young entrepreneurs who are making a significant contribution through innovation, leadership and enterprise.

Applications are now open and will close on 9 September 2026. Businesses of all sizes are encouraged to explore whether their achievements could be recognised through this highly regarded awards programme.

To help local businesses learn more about the awards and application process, the West Sussex Lieutenancy has produced an information presentation outlining the categories, eligibility requirements and benefits of becoming a King's Award winner.

You can find a presentation about the awards here

For further information and details on how to apply, visit:

https://www.gov.uk/kings-awards-for-enterprise

The Worthing & Adur Chamber of Commerce is proud to share this opportunity and encourages eligible businesses to consider putting themselves forward for one of the UK's most respected business accolades.

Good News from Worthing Theatres and Museum

It’s been a big few months for Worthing Theatres and Museum (WTM), and they are pleased to share some of their recent highlights.

Worthing Museum is Back

In March, Worthing Museum & Art Gallery reopened its doors following a year-long closure during the installation of the new Heat Network. The closure provided an opportunity for a complete refresh of the Museum, making now the perfect time for both returning and first-time visitors to explore everything it has to offer.

WTM was also delighted to welcome GWCA Solicitors as the Museum’s first-ever Headline Sponsor. The launch weekend in March saw the debut of OPEN26, WTM’s biennial open art exhibition showcasing local artists. The exhibition runs until 5 September, giving visitors plenty of time to experience the work on display.

A Century of the Pavilion

June brought an even bigger milestone as the iconic Pavilion Theatre celebrated its 100th birthday.

The occasion was marked with a blue plaque ceremony honouring James Gurney Denton, the local philanthropist whose generosity helped provide Worthing with Denton Gardens, the Assembly Hall and the Denton Lounge, now known as the Pavilion Atrium.

WTM also extended its thanks to Gosh Patisserie for helping make the celebrations even sweeter. After a century of stories, shows and seafront memories, the organisation is looking ahead to the next hundred years.

Puss in Boots is Coming

This year’s pantomime, Puss in Boots, runs from 3 December to 3 January, with Bennett Griffin returning as Headline Sponsor.

Whether planning a night out with colleagues, clients, friends or family, audiences are encouraged not to “paws” before booking, as this year's production promises to be the cat’s whiskers. After all, panto remains one of Worthing’s most-loved traditions.

New Leadership on the Way

Behind the scenes, recruitment is well underway for a new Chief Executive to lead WTM into its next chapter.

The organisation reports a strong field of candidates and looks forward to sharing further news in the autumn.

Opportunities to Get Involved

With so much happening across its four venues, WTM says there has never been a better time to get involved.

Businesses interested in partnership opportunities, sponsorship, or hiring one of WTM’s spaces for an event, conference or celebration are encouraged to get in touch.

For more information, contact the WTM Development Team at development@wtm.uk or call 01903 947509.

West Sussex Founder Publishes First Book Addressing The Hidden Problem Costing SME Owners Their Freedom

Littlehampton-based Business Operations Specialist Gemma Hunter releases The Founder Dependency Score, a practical guide for UK small business owners who cannot step back from their own businesses.

Gemma Hunter, founder of Hunter Admin and a Theo Paphitis Small Business Sunday winner, has published her debut book addressing one of the most widespread but least talked about problems in UK small business: founder dependency.

The Founder Dependency Score: The Map to Building a Business That Works Without You is available now for pre-order on Amazon, with a launch date of 5th July 2026. The book is priced at £19.99 and is also available free to Kindle Unlimited subscribers.

The book draws on Gemma's experience working inside service businesses across the UK, where she repeatedly observed the same pattern. Capable founders with growing teams and increasing revenue, who had nonetheless become the operational centre of everything their business did. Unable to take a proper holiday. First point of contact for every decision. The business growing, but the founder's freedom shrinking with it.

Gemma developed the Founder Dependency Score, a free online diagnostic tool, to give founders a measurable picture of how reliant their business is on them. The tool has been taken by founders across the UK since its launch and measures dependency across five domains: Decisions, Knowledge, Delivery, Revenue, and Resilience.

The book expands on that diagnostic framework, taking each domain in depth and providing practical exercises for founders at every stage of the dependency scale. Gemma Hunter, founder of Hunter Admin, said:

"Most founders I work with are not struggling because they are doing something wrong. They are struggling because the business grew around them rather than beyond them. The decisions, the knowledge, the delivery, the revenue, it all still runs through one person.

That is not a character flaw. It is a structural problem, and structural problems have structural solutions. I wrote this book because founders deserve a clear, honest map of where their business is and what to build next. Not motivation. Not a list of productivity tips. A working guide that meets them wherever they are and shows them specifically what to do."

West Sussex Founder Publishes First Book Addressing The Hidden Problem Costing SME Owners Their Freedom

About the book

The Founder Dependency Score: The Map to Building a Business That Works Without You is structured across three parts.

Part One introduces the concept of founder dependency and explains the five domains and five score bands in plain terms. Part Two goes deep into each domain, with practical exercises designed to surface specific gaps and vulnerabilities. Part Three maps out what each score band means from the inside and provides targeted actions depending on where the reader sits.

The book concludes with the well known two-week test: the measure of a truly founder-independent business. The concept of testing a business by stepping away was popularised by Michael Gerber in The E-Myth Revisited and developed further by Mike Michalowicz in Clockwork. The two-week test used throughout this book is my own adaptation of that principle, calibrated to the reality of most SME service businesses.

It is available for pre-order on Amazon now at £19.99, with a launch date of 5th July 2026. It is also available free on Kindle Unlimited.

The Founder Dependency Score: The Map to Building a Business That Works Without You eBook : Hunter, Gemma , Hunter, Gemma: Amazon.co.uk: Books

Selling a House? Conveyancing Tips to Help Avoid Delays from Bennett Griffin

With property market conditions continuing to fluctuate, many people selling a house are keen to ensure their transaction progresses as smoothly and efficiently as possible.

Once an offer has been accepted, there are several proactive steps you can take to minimise delays and keep your sale on track.

Below, our Residential Property team has outlined some key conveyancing tips for anyone planning to sell their home.

1. Set clear and realistic timescales

Agreeing a proposed timetable for exchange and completion early in the process helps create structure and direction for all parties.

Your estate agent can assist in managing expectations and encouraging the buyer to progress matters, such as arranging surveys or mortgage applications, without delay. However, it is important that any agreed timescales are achievable to avoid unnecessary pressure or disappointment.

2. Ensure documentation for any works is in order

If you have carried out works to your property, such as extensions, alterations or conversions, it is essential to ensure all relevant consents and paperwork are available.

This may include:

• Planning permission
• Listed building consent, if applicable
• Building regulations approval and completion certificates
• Freeholder or management company consent for leasehold properties

A lack of documentation in this area is one of the most common causes of delay in residential property transactions. Identifying and addressing any gaps early can help prevent complications later on.

3. Selling a leasehold property? Order the management pack promptly

If your property is leasehold, your solicitor will need to obtain a management information pack from the freeholder or managing agent.

These packs can take several weeks to arrive, so requesting them at the earliest opportunity is crucial. Delays in receiving this information are a frequent bottleneck in leasehold transactions.

4. Address potential issues proactively

If you are aware of anything that might raise questions, such as missing consents or boundary concerns, it is best to discuss this with your solicitor at the outset.

There are often solutions available, including:

• Indemnity insurance policies
• Retrospective consents
• Practical negotiations with the buyer

Taking early advice allows a strategy to be put in place, reducing the risk of problems arising at a critical stage of the transaction.

5. Maintain open communication

Clear and consistent communication between all parties, including the seller, buyer, solicitors and estate agents, is vital.

Choosing a solicitor who is approachable and proactive can make a significant difference. A collaborative approach between your legal adviser and estate agent can help ensure momentum is maintained throughout the process.

6. Be prepared to remain flexible

While every seller hopes for a straightforward transaction, issues can arise, particularly in uncertain market conditions.

Being open to reasonable buyer requests and considering practical solutions where necessary can help prevent a sale from falling through. Your solicitor can guide you on the best practical approach if challenges arise.

How Bennett Griffin LLP can help

At Bennett Griffin, our Residential Property team has extensive experience guiding clients through the house sale process.

We pride ourselves on providing clear advice, proactive communication and practical solutions to help your transaction proceed as smoothly as possible.

If you are considering selling your property and would like further guidance, please get in touch.

You can call our Worthing office on 01903 229999 or email info@bennett-griffin.co.uk.

West Sussex Mind Invite Community to Take on Charity Abseil Challenge

West Sussex Mind, the local independent mental health charity, is inviting the community to take part in an exciting and meaningful fundraising event this September.

They are hosting a charity abseil at Peacehaven Cliffs on Saturday 19 September (sponsored by DMH Stallard). This thrilling challenge has been designed not only to raise awareness of mental health, but also to generate vital funds to support people across West Sussex who are struggling.

West Sussex Mind is encouraging local organisations, workplaces and individuals to share this opportunity with colleagues, friends and networks—helping to inspire more people to get involved. Every participant who signs up will contribute to reaching more people in need of support.

The need for their services continues to grow. Last year alone, 8,199 people across West Sussex accessed support from the charity. Behind each number is an individual facing challenges such as anxiety, depression, or crisis—often with limited alternatives for help.

As an independent charity, West Sussex Mind does not receive regular funding from national Mind. This means that fundraising events like the abseil are essential in enabling them to continue their work within the community.

Funds raised will help them to:

• Deliver life-changing mental health services locally
• Reach people in rural areas who might otherwise go without support
• Challenge stigma and increase awareness around mental health
• Train parents, carers and professionals to better support others

Every pound raised through the event will go directly towards supporting people when they need it most.

By sharing and supporting this event, the community can play a vital role in helping ensure no one in West Sussex has to face mental health challenges alone.

Teville Gate update from Homes England

We are keen to update the local community on our work to date and hear from local stakeholders, residents, businesses and community groups about what matters most to them. 

To help share information about the project and gather views, we will be holding two informal drop-in events:

Wednesday 1 July 2026
9:00am – 2:00pm
Opposite M&S, Portland Road, Worthing

Saturday 4 July 2026
10:00am – 3:00pm
Teville Gate site, Worthing

These events provide an opportunity to meet the project team, learn more about the next steps for the site and discuss your aspirations for its future. No appointment is necessary.

Charity CEO fights fears to take a leap of faith  

On Sunday 28th June, Emma Edwards, Chief Executive of Esteem, a youth charity based in Shoreham-by-sea, will abseil 410 feet from the top of the Brighton i360 to raise vital funds and awareness to highlight the charity’s impactful work. 

Esteem supports young people aged 14 to 26 from all walks of life navigate some of life's toughest challenges, from poor mental health and isolation, to barriers in education and employment. Through group activities, mentoring and 1-2-1 support, Esteem helps young adults build confidence and lasting self-esteem and, in turn, builds stronger communities. 

Emma, who has worked for Esteem since 2018 and took over as CEO in September 2025, agreed to take on the challenge despite a fear of heights. She said:

"We're often asking our supporters to take on challenges to raise money for us so it seems only right that we ask the same of ourselves."

The abseil is being organised by the Focus Foundation and Emma was generously gifted the chance to take part.

She continued: "Esteem is a community where young adults can connect, grow and thrive. It exists to provide something I believe every young person should have; a consistent, welcoming, youth-led space where they can feel safe, build trust and discover their strengths. From there, everything else becomes possible; connection, confidence, wellbeing and purpose.

"I see the difference our work makes all the time. I hear directly from young adults about the impact it’s had on their lives and I get to see that transformation up close.

"They step outside their comfort zones every day, so it feels only right that I do the same and take on something that pushes me too!"

Donations can be made to Emma’s fundraising page at www.justgiving.com/page/emma-edwards-esteem

To find out more about the support available from Esteem or the work of the charity, email hello@esteem.org.uk or call 01273 091511 or 07490 447333. Young adults aged 14-26 can self-refer via the link on the Esteem website www.esteem.org.uk 

Fire safety advice for licenced premises during the FIFA World Cup

West Sussex Fire & Rescue Service is urging licenced premises to review and update their fire risk assessments before making any changes to their premises during the FIFA World Cup 2026.

Changes such as installing large screens and temporary structures, additional seating, flags and decorations, and altered venue layouts may create additional fire safety risks if not properly assessed and managed.

Temporary alterations can affect occupancy levels, escape routes, evacuation procedures and access to firefighting equipment. The Responsible Person must ensure that fire safety remains a key consideration throughout the planning and delivery of tournament-related events.

Businesses are advised to:

• Review and update fire risk assessments to reflect any temporary changes.
• Ensure all emergency exits, escape routes and fire doors remain serviceable unobstructed and available for immediate use.
• Avoid positioning screens, furniture, staging or temporary structures where they could hinder evacuation.
• Check that temporary electrical installations are safe, suitable and do not overload existing electrical systems.
• Use appropriate fire-retardant materials for decorations and displays.
• Review occupancy levels and implement suitable crowd management measures.
• Ensure staff are fully trained and understand emergency procedures and their roles in the event of an evacuation.
• Maintain clear access to firefighting equipment and fire alarm call points.

Please be aware that Fire Safety Officers and operational crews may carry out inspections before and during the tournament period to ensure compliance with fire safety legislation and to provide advice where required.

I would ask that you share this with your membership to ensure that any Responsible Persons are aware of this guidance. If you have any concerns, please email firesafety@westsussex.gov.uk.