The Dome Wedding Open Day

The perfect opportunity to see our beautiful rooms set up for a full Wedding Ceremony and Reception, with our experienced Events Team on site to discuss your wedding requirements. 

To book an appointment please click on the button below and mention which time slot (either 11am-1pm or 1pm-3pm) is convenient for you. We will then respond with a specific time.  

Please note that this event is only open to couples who have yet to book their wedding venue.

Click here to book your appointment

We are also able to offer viewings at other times, if you are unable to make the Open Day or if you are keen to visit before then.  We can show you around on most days, including when we are set up for Wedding Ceremonies & Receptions.

Battling the bird could be next step to improve our bathing water

Gull-proof bins and bird kites could be the next weapon to improve the quality of bathing water at Worthing.

The measures could be introduced as part of Southern Water’s ground-breaking £31.5m Bathing Water Enhancement Programme which Adur and Worthing Councils are supporting.

Southern Water has been working with Councils and Selsey Town Council to help improve the water quality at Worthing, Middleton-on-Sea and Selsey and all of which are benefitting from the multi-million-pound investment across the region to bring seven bathing waters’ quality up to an ‘Excellent’ standard by 2020.

Recent years have seen Southern Water invest millions on its wastewater network in order to reduce its impact on bathing water quality. However, bathing water is also affected by a range of other sources of pollution such as contaminated rainwater running off roads and agricultural land, wastewater from privately-owned treatment works, boats and animals on the beach such as dogs and seabirds.

Officers from Worthing Borough Council have been working with Southern Water to identify misconnections - waste water pipes connected to the wrong network and thus flowing directly out to sea - at private businesses and households

Improvements made in Sussex so far include:

·        Two public misconnections have been identified in Worthing will have all been rectified by the end of July;

·        No pumping station upgrades are needed in Worthing and Middleton-on-Sea but a pumping station in Selsey will be upgraded will begin in the next few months;

·        Storage capacity work and network improvements at Selsey are being investigated and will be implemented in Autumn 2017;

·        Southern Water’s sewer maintenance and replacement programme has also started in all three areas, with all projects already completed.

Gull-proof bins and bird kites are being discussed and, if considered worthwhile, will be installed shortly. The measures will stop birds from flocking near bathing waters eating from the bins and defecating. Bird and animal faeces contain a much higher level of bacteria which can severely affect bathing water quality.

In addition further funding from Southern Water will now work with officers from Adur District Council to identify possible misconnections on Shoreham Beach and look at other measures including education programmes for dog walkers and protection from bird waste measures.

Worthing Borough Council’s Executive Member for Digital and Environmental Services , Cllr Edward Crouch said: “This has been a good example of cooperation between ourselves and Southern Water with the common aim of improving our bathing water. The results have already been impressive.

“We have a fantastic seaside offering here in Worthing and the better our water becomes the better the offer becomes for residents and visitors.”

Earlier this month it was announced that Worthing beach has been recognised as one of the best in the country after winning the coveted Seaside Award for the second year running.

Overseen by Keep Britain Tidy, the honour recognises and rewards beaches that achieve the highest standards of beach management and, in the case of bathing beaches, meet the required standards for water quality.

Chris O’Grady, Southern Water’s Senior Project Manager for the Bathing Water Enhancement Programme, said: "We’re delighted with the progress we’re making in improving the quality of our magnificent seven’s bathing waters.

“It’s a ground-breaking project and is the result of how we’re responding to our customers’ wishes for us to help boost more bathing waters in the region up to an Excellent standard.”

How SMEs can afford Industry 4.0 evolution

Much is expected of Industry 4.0 and the next phase in the digitalisation of the business sector. Some are touting it as an economic saviour. But new tech comes with a price tag. How can cash-strapped SMEs afford it?

While a lot of discussion around Industry 4.0 is focused on whether robots will take human jobs, the ongoing development of digital technology and its role in the workplace has much wider parameters. It’s perhaps more helpful to think of it in terms of greater connectivity and new forms of human-machine interaction, and the efficiencies and opportunities this kind of progress can create.

And the chance to benefit from greater efficiencies and exploit new opportunities is one that under-pressure small business owners are certainly interested in. However, they’re also aware of the costs involved in swimming with this digital tide. There may be the likelihood of more sales and stronger profits down the line, but this journey requires investment.

It’s not just about investing in new equipment and software. Talk of Industry 4.0 and enhanced digital connectivity brings with it the necessity of appropriate levels of cybersecurity and data protection, the demands of which small business owners know all about. And let’s not forget that there’s the absolute need for a reliable high-speed broadband service, something which not all small businesses can rely on.

Stepping outside the tech circle, small businesses are also burdened with a raft of other policy and non-policy costs. Business rates, late payment and compliance with national living wage and pension auto-enrolment legislation are all issues that have an impact on company finances.

So how can small business find the capital to embrace the opportunities of Industry 4.0? Alternative finance has a role to play. SMEs are increasingly using services such as invoice finance, asset finance, peer-to-peer lending and crowdfunding to safeguard cashflow and fund development. While traditional lenders are beginning to re-engage with small businesses, attitudes remain cautious, and alternative finance is providing these firms with services that offer much-needed accessibility, affordability and flexibility.

This is how a business in Sussex used peer-to-peer lending, through a commercial finance broker than specialises in alternative finance, to raise the money to buy new equipment.

And new equipment, as I’ve said already, is exactly what many small businesses need if they are to benefit from this latest industrial revolution. To take this step, SMEs need access to finance and in today’s climate, this strategy has to include alternative finance.

To find out more about A&T Business Associates services, contact Tony on 01903 602211 or tony@atbusinessassociates.co.uk.

New thought-provoking exhibition at Worthing Museum & Art Gallery explores Europe as a safe home

A new thought provoking exhibition has been unveiled at Worthing Museum and Art Gallery that explores the identity of Europe as a safe home.

The exhibition brings together the work of four contemporary artists; Delaine and Damian Le Bas, Alex Michon and Julia Horbaschk. Archive material, objects and art works from Worthing Museum’s collection also support the theme of this hugely debated topic. Safe European Home? speaks of people from all around the globe who have looked to Europe for a safe home, as well as those within Europe who have looked to the UK. This subject has fuelled debate historically, and will continue to be just as significant in today's climate and in the future.
 
Paintings such as White Poppies by Gyula Sajo and Le Lavoir, St Nicholas-du-Pelem, Brittany by Stanislawa Karlowska celebrate the diversity of artists who were European by decent and have made a rich contribution to art history in England.  Other paintings such as Home Sweet Home by Walter Sickert are chosen to pose questions around the idea of ‘home’ and The Trial by Keith Vaughan acts as a reminder to consider civil rights.

Many of the items from the museum’s collection have been selected because they reference borders, boundaries and movement. The installations and art work by Damian, Delaine, Alex and Julia each have their own voice but the threads that weave the whole exhibition together are concerned with acceptance, tolerance, responsibility and much more.
 
The title itself is taken from a Clash song, a band renowned for taking an active anti-fascist stance. First shown outside the parliament building in Vienna in 2011, Safe European Home? comes back to the artists’ home town in Worthing. Tragically Damian Le Bad died unexpectedly on 9 December 2017.
 
Emma Walder, Art and Exhibition Curator at Worthing Museum & Art Gallery, says:
“Our Heritage is culturally diverse and has been shaped by people from all cultures, from all corners of the globe. Refusing to be history-blind, the pioneering work of Damian and Delaine Le Bas serves as a timely wake up call to remind us that the human soul has no borders. We wish this exhibition to serve as a tribute to Damian Le Bas who worked with Worthing Museum and Art Gallery, together with Delaine on many memorable occasions.  Damian was an extraordinarily talented, inventive and uncompromising artist whose passion, spirit and revolutionary commitment lives on through his work.”

For more information on the Safe European Home? exhibition, visit worthingmuseum.co.uk or call Worthing Museum on 01903 221 448.

Newly elected Adur Chairman to launch community defibrillator appeal

Adur District Council’s first independent Chairman for 15 years has vowed to raise the profile of the role while raising money for life-saving equipment in the community.

Councillor Joss Loader, who represents Marine ward on behalf of the Shoreham Beach Residents’ Association (SBRA), was officially confirmed in the role at local authority’s annual meeting last week (Thursday May 18, 2018)

As first citizen of the District, Cllr Loader will represent the Council at community and civic events for the next year.

The former journalist has pledged to use the term in office to raise the profile of the area, which she praised for its “fantastic community spirit”.

She said: “I would like to raise the post's profile and to demonstrate to our great local residents, organisations and charities that they are fully supported by Adur District Council in the work they do. There is some uncertainty about the role of a Chairman - as people identify more readily with the office of a Mayor. I will work to raise greater awareness and engagement.”

Traditionally, the Adur Chairman has raised money for charities in the area during their 12 months in office. But Cllr Loader said she wants to use her term to launch a Community Defibrillator Appeal to provide life-saving, publicly accessible machines across the towns and villages of Adur.

She said: “We have already done this with great success on Shoreham Beach and SBRA installed two defibrillators last month after a fund-raising drive. It's early days, but I plan to work with local community groups to try to ensure that all areas have 24/7 access to these great machines.

“I am doing this in memory of my late father, Brian Hollebone, who died very suddenly from a catastrophic heart attack more than 30 years ago, when defibrillators were not not available.  If just one resident's life can be saved, I shall consider it a job very well done.”

Cllr Loader replaces Councillor Peter Metcalfe, who served in the role for the second time in five years.

The new Vice Chairman is Councillor George Barton, who lives in Sompting and represents Peverel ward.

Read on to find out more about the new Chairman.

What is your background?

I have a grown-up son and daughter and I raised my family on Shoreham Beach, living here for nearly 20 years. Professionally, I am a qualified journalist who held posts as news editor on the  Shoreham Herald and Assistant Editor/News Editor on the Worthing Herald. I also worked for The Evening Argus in the late 80s.

More recently, I've held senior communications posts at a number of organisations including the NHS; Shoreham Power Station during its £200m construction and commissioning phase; local government and the Royal Armouries Museum. I now work as a freelance PR consultant and I also teach English as a foreign language at a local language school.

Why did I become a councillor?

As a former newspaper reporter, It was something I vowed that I would never do!  However, a strong interest in my local community - plus the chance to stand as an Independent candidate for Shoreham Beach Residents' Association (SBRA) - proved too appealing for me to resist.  I have a passion for communications and keeping residents fully engaged, consulted and informed.

What are your priorities for the coming year as Chairman?

I would like to raise the post's profile and to demonstrate to our great local residents, organisations and charities that they are fully supported by Adur District Council in the work they do. There is some uncertainty about the role of a Chairman - as people identify more readily with the office of a Mayor. I will work to raise greater awareness and engagement.

Which charities will you be supporting as Chairman?

Adur has fantastic charities and voluntary organisations, all doing amazing work. Rather than choosing any specific charities, I intended to launch a  Community Defibrillator Appeal to provide life-saving, publicly accessible machines across the towns and villages of Adur.

We have already done this with great success on Shoreham Beach and SBRA installed two defibrillators last month after a fund-raising drive. It's early days, but I plan to work with local community groups to try to ensure that all areas have 24/7 access to these great machines.

What makes Adur a special place?  

Adur is made up of very distinct communities, comprising Shoreham, Lancing, Sompting, Southwick and Fishersgate. What our residents do have in common is a very strong "sense of place" and a fabulous community spirit, combined with passion and commitment to enhancing where we live. On a personal level, it simply feels like "home".

Pop along to Worthing’s first public living room

Worthing’s first ‘public living room’ is open for business as Worthing Borough Council has turned one of its seafront beach huts into a space you can call home for a few hours.  

Every Friday lunchtime for the next month, Beach Hut 72, located between Heene Road and Grand Avenue, will be set up as a welcoming public space where people can gather - to socialise or simply relax in company - for free.

Kitted out with home comforts such as games, magazines and drawing materials for children, as well as a bit of ambient chilled summer music, the public living room is a place where anyone can come, on good days and bad, to be around people, make connections and enjoy being out of the house.

As one of the first places in the UK to join the public living room trial, council staff will open the hut every Friday between 11am and 3pm until June 8.

There is also an open invite for individuals and community groups to help keep the area open at other times of the day. All you need to be able to do is greet any visitors and welcome them in, with groups encouraged to decorate the living room in whatever welcoming style they want.

Councillor Val Turner, Worthing Borough Council’s Executive for Health and Wellbeing, said: “The idea is to create a public space that people are able to come together in and make connections with other members of their community. It’s a ‘third space’ that is not about accessing services, but also not about sitting alone in a cafe trying to strike up a conversation.”

The movement Camerados invited Worthing to join the public living room trial which is also underway in other places in the UK and around the world including Belfast, Glasgow, Baltimore, Malmo and Melbourne.

After signing up to the scheme, staff at Worthing Borough Council’s wellbeing team were sent a mystery box, within which contained everything that was needed to create a welcoming free space for all.

After June 8th, the council will be passing on their experience and the living room ‘props’ to Worthing Churches Homeless Project who will open their own public living room in St Clare's Community Hub.

If you are interested in getting involved in opening the public living room on the seafront, contact Sophie Whitehouse in Adur and Worthing Councils’ Early Help and Wellbeing Team at:  sophie.whitehouse@adur-worthing.gov.uk

Worthing's representative has a right royal time at Harry and Meghan's wedding

Former Mayor of Worthing Alex Harman had a right royal time as an official guest at Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's big day.

Just a day after ending his year-long stint as the town's youngest ever first citizen, Alex, 24, headed up to Windsor with his wife Fran for the big day.

The couple were among the 2,640 members of the public invited by the now Duke and Duchess and Sussex to enjoy the occasion.

And after a full day of interviewing, flag-waving and cheering, Alex said it was extremely "humbling" to attend and he was looking forward to welcoming Harry and Meghan to visit the county of their title soon.

Alex, who represents Selden ward on Worthing Borough Council, said: "The whole day was absolutely fantastic.

"One of the things that stood out about the whole day was the togetherness of everyone.

"When I got the email saying that we had been invited to attend our personal excitement grew. But when when arrived in the town in the morning it multiplied many times over.

"As soon as we walked across the bridge from Eton into Windsor, the feeling was incredible. 

"It was absolutely manic, with an incredible feeling of celebration. When we got into the queue for the castle grounds, the mood was simply fantastic."

Alex and Fran celebrated the day in the company of selected people from across the UK.

Harry and Meghan wanted ordinary members of the public to take part in their day, so they asked Lord Lieutenants to invite individuals to join the celebrations, including young people who have shown strong leadership, and those who have served their communities.

Alex said: "We were based just outside the west entrance of the chapel and saw a number of the celebrity guests walk right past us - the cast of Suits, George Clooney, Elton John - no one really stood out but turned into a who's who game trying to spot who came in!

"Then when we saw Prince William and Harry walking in, that's really when the anticipation of the crowd really started to grow.

"We heard the service though the broadcasters and after the wedding had finished we were able to go into the chapel.

"When I got a notification through on my phone Harry and Meghan would be Duke and Duchess of Sussex, that added to the occasion as it is first time in 140 or so years that we have had that title used."

As well as enjoying the occasion with his wife, Alex was a man in demand, carrying out interviews with journalists from Reuters, BBC Sussex, More Radio and Heart throughout the day.

Even though he celebrated the occasion away from the town, he said he was delighted with the way people locally marked the wedding.

Alex said: "From what we saw in Worthing, residents across the area were excited and really tuned into it. The way that people bought into the royal wedding, whether it was through events like the Broadwater Picnic or travelling up and camping in Windsor, was fantastic.

"It shows what impact having such a dynamic young couple who are modernising the royalty and bringing it into the modern age can have on people. Harry and Meghan are really personal and, because of that, people relate to them. 

"This royal wedding was completely different to anything else, even with the fact they invited members of the public like us along, and that came across on the day.

"They are fantastic ambassadors for the county and I hope to see them in Worthing some time soon!"

Wealth Management Seminar and Charity Update Seminar by Kreston Reeves

Wealth management seminar – planning for an uncertain future

On Wednesday 13 June at West Dean College of Arts and Conservation our wealth management experts will provide a blend of taxation, financial and legal advice to help you grow and protect your personal wealth in an uncertain world.  We are delighted to welcome guest speaker Alex Barron, CE), West Dean College.  For more information click here.

Charity update seminar

On Thursday 5 July we are running a seminar for charity trustees, chief executives and finance officers at the Roffey Park Institute, Forest Road, Horsham.  This seminar will cover topical issues including safeguarding, risk management, key VAT issues and income diversification.  If you are a charity trustee or know something that is this is a really informative event.  For more information click here.