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News & updates 

Regular news and updates from the Chamber, our members, local Councils and other relevant business news will be posted regularly here. 

Don't forget, as a member one of your many benefits is being able to submit your press releases and news for inclusion here as well as on either the members or business news emails and social media. Please submit to lauren@worthingandadurchamber.co.uk 


  • 09 June 2017 10:11 AM | Deleted user

    Specialist manufacturer acquired in £62m MBO

    Specialist manufacturer acquired in £62m MBO

    A Surrey-based manufacturer and distributor of self-adhesive sign vinyl and print media has completed a £62m management buyout (MBO) backed by a private equity firm.

    London-based Primary has purchased Metamark, which was established in 1992 and operates from a manufacturing facility in Lancaster and a sales and distribution base in Woking, from founder shareholders Mark Bateson and Mike Stuart.

    The management team is led by chief executive Paul French and sales director Ian Simister. French and Simister have led the business for the last five years and in that time have presided over a doubling in revenues and profits. In the year ended 31 March 2017, Metamark had revenues of approximately £29m, with one third coming from export sales to 40 countries.

    Matthew Enright joins Metamark as its chief finance officer.

    French said: "We have some very exciting plans for Metamark. They will ensure that our growth continues on the upward trajectory we've established both in the UK and internationally.

    "We have a planned programme of further investment in capital plant to strengthen our manufacturing and conversion and we'll be investing in people so we can strengthen our team and reinforce our international stature. We're taking our model to new markets too.

    "Our technical leadership and service led ethics mean we can achieve scale in markets such as construction while growing opportunities in our established channels with new, product-led applications. In Primary we have an investment partner who shares our ambition and values."

    The deal was led by Iain Wolstenholme, Alistair Armstrong, and Chris Hopwood at Primary. Metamark is Primary's fifth investment from the Primary IV Fund.

    Santander and Yorkshire Bank provided senior debt finance for the deal and working capital facilities to help fund future growth. A KPMG Corporate Finance team, led by Alex Hartley, advised Primary on its investment.

    The vendors were advised by CLB Coopers. 

    Photo: Ian Simister (left) and Paul French (right)

    Article by Insider Media

  • 09 June 2017 10:04 AM | Deleted user
    Fancy complimentary refreshments at your next meeting?

    At Basepoint Haywards Heath we understand the specific requirements expected of serviced meeting rooms, ensuring delegates can focus on their agenda. That's why we are offering free tea and coffee during your first meeting room booking*.

    With rooms available from £20 per hour and seating 1 to 40 people, we are the perfect destination for your meeting.

    Contact us today and quote WAKEUP to take advantage of this offer!

    *Terms and conditions apply. Quote WAKEUP at time of booking. Contact us for more information.



  • 09 June 2017 9:39 AM | Deleted user

    Bright future ahead for Worthing’s much-loved Brooklands Park

    A much-loved pleasure park is set for an environmental makeover after Worthing Borough Council pushed on with plans for a long-awaited upgrade.

    Following environmental concerns over the condition of the lake in Brooklands Pleasure Park, the local authority has agreed up to allocate up to £850,000 towards refurbishing the attraction.

    This hope is by working with the community, the 45-acre park just off east Worthing seafront will be preserved for generations to come.

    Councillor Diane Guest, Worthing Borough Council’s Executive Member for Environment, said:

    “Brooklands Park holds a special place in the hearts not only only of the local community but tens of thousands of visitors who return here year after year.

    “It really is a unique attraction and I’m confident that this significant investment is just the start of a bright new future for the area.

    “I hope that by working with the community we can come up with a long-term solution that will benefit all of the users of the park, while enhancing the amazing natural habitat within it.”

    Worthing Borough Council agreed to carry out work last year due to fears over the environmental impact of silt building up on the bottom of the eight-acre lake.

    After inviting contractors to submit proposals for the work, senior councillors on Adur and Worthing Councils’ Joint Strategic Committee agreed on Tuesday (June 6, 2017) to allocate up to £850,000 towards the scheme.

    The local authority will now push on with appointing a company to carry out the dredging of the lake.

    The works will also see silt traps installed to prevent further buildup of silt; changes to the current approach of Teville Stream through Valley Gardens; and using the removed silt to create new islands and margins within the lake to encourage wildlife.

    Once a contract has been awarded and relevant checks signed off, the refurbishment could start as early as this autumn.

    Once complete, the local authority will then work with the community to create a management plan for the park with the aim of establishing a Friends of Brooklands Park group.

  • 08 June 2017 2:33 PM | Deleted user

    Part of under-used Worthing car park to close

    Work will begin next week to close parts of Teville Gate car park in Worthing.

    The multi-storey will remain open but the five upper levels and two annexes will close after Worthing Borough Council carried out an assessment which showed the car park is currently not used to full capacity.

    Closing the higher and more remote areas of the 11-storey car park will not affect regular users who, along with casual visitors, will still be able to park on the lower levels.

    The move will make better use of the available space on the more accessible lower floors and will lead to savings in lighting and general maintenance costs for council taxpayers.

    The affected areas are:

    ·         Level 7 upwards

    ·         The stairwells from Level 7 upwards

    ·         The annexes on Levels 4 and 6.

    Council staff will begin work next Tuesday (May 30) to start cordoning off the affected areas and the car park will remain open while this is done.

    Diane Guest, the council’s Executive Member for Environment, said: “We apologise for any inconvenience while we carry out this work.

    “We are committed to delivering cost-effective services for council taxpayers and the usage figures at Teville Gate have informed our decision to close off parts of the car park.

    “Meanwhile we continue to work closely with the owner of the Teville Gate site to progress redevelopment plans at the earliest opportunity.”

  • 08 June 2017 2:27 PM | Deleted user

    Partners wanted to support Worthing High School's cricket programme

    We are currently looking for a partner to financially support our Worthing High School cricket programme. Our partnership with Worthing High has been in place for three years and has gone from strength to strength. Just some of the outputs from the programme include:

    • Weekly physical activity through cricket for boys and girls throughout the year
    • Leadership opportunities for students to act as role models and support activity inside & outside of school
    • Improved primary school links through a cricket festival at the back end of the year
    • Improved attainment/behaviour through specific education engagement programmes

    It’s a great opportunity to look at your corporate social responsibility activity and potentially give back to education and the wider community.

    If you are interested in getting involved, then please get in touch with Steve -

    Steve Feazey
    Head of Community Partnerships at Sussex Cricket Foundation

    t: 01273 827128
    m: 07714 769217
    e: steve.feazey@sussexcricket.co.uk

  • 08 June 2017 2:21 PM | Deleted user

    Guildcare Cocktail Night

    Time to sing your heart out with or very first karaoke and cocktail night!

    We have teamed up with Bar 10 for you and your friends to pay just £15pp to have a private cocktail making session then sing your heart out with karaoke and dance the night away! All the funds go towards our Ashdown services which supports children with special needs and their families.

    Why hesitate?! Call 01903 528613 to book yourself in!

  • 08 June 2017 2:11 PM | Deleted user

    Worthing seafront is centre stage for Hollywood hit

    Hollywood stars flocked to Worthing as the seafront became the backdrop for a new feature-length film.

    Stan & Ollie, starring Steve Coogan and U.S. star John C. Reilly, tells the story of Laurel and Hardy’s final tour in 1953.

    As part of their caper, film crews booked out the Worthing Borough Council-owned Lido to capture one of the movie’s crucial scenes.

    It is the latest in a series of productions to visit the town in recent years, including television shows such as Cuffs, Don’t Tell The Bride and The Fear.

    Councillor Kevin Jenkins, Worthing Borough Council’s executive member for regeneration, said:

    “I’m delighted to welcome Steve Coogan, John C. Reilly and the rest of the crew to Worthing.

    “Our town has a fine heritage when it comes to film: from hosting some of the first moving pictures on the pier in the late 19th Century through to providing locations for more contemporary shows in recent years.

    “I can’t wait to see our town become the backdrop to the comic capers of Stan and Ollie, whose presence will help continue to put Worthing on the map.”

    The BBC film sees the comic duo visit a number of music halls across the UK to entertain their fans one last time.

    It has been written by Jeff Pope, who worked with Coogan on Oscar-nominated Philomena.

    The key scene shot in Worthing features Laurel and Hardy judging a beauty pageant.

    To accommodate the film crew, some parking bays were suspended for a day and agreement was sought with the leaseholder of the Lido as the rides were relocated for a day.

    Councillor Jenkins said:

    “I want to thank the tourism and events team at the council, the leaseholder of the lido and the wider population for helping make this happen.

    “I’m sure seeing the town on the big screen will give our four million visitors a year one more reason to Discover Worthing.”

    Councillor Sean McDonald, the outgoing Mayor of Worthing, who is a big fan of the comic duo, said:

    "I am absolutely delighted that the new Laurel & Hardy film is being filmed in my home town of Worthing. This is the perfect location for this great comedy duo.  

    “I am a long time fan of the boys and a member of their fan club The Sons Of The Desert. I hope that the film is a great success and it just emphasises the opportunities available in Worthing."

  • 08 June 2017 2:07 PM | Deleted user

    Car park closes to make way for potential office development

    The former Adur Civic Centre staff car park in Shoreham is closing in preparation for a multimillion pound office development scheme.

    Land in Ham Road is earmarked for new employment space as part of Adur District Council’s plans to regenerate the former Civic Centre site opposite to potentially create much-needed new homes and business accommodation.

    Demolition of the former Council office buildings is already well under way and due to finish within weeks.

    The former Council staff car park, which opened to the public on a temporary basis last year, will close for a day next Tuesday (May 16) for a drainage survey to be carried out.

    It will then close permanently from June 1 so that surveyors can continue their work ahead of a planning application for the car park site later this year.

    Drivers who use the car park for pay-and-display are being redirected to other car parks in the town. The nearest are in Pond Road and Tarmount Lane.

    A small number of monthly season tickets will not be renewed and current ticket holders will be advised of alternatives, including Riverside and Ropetackle.

    Councillor Brian Boggis, Adur’s Executive Member for Regeneration, said:

    “We apologise to users of Ham Road car park for any inconvenience the closure will cause. The car park was opened to the public on a temporary basis only while we made preparations for the exciting future of the site.

    “We are now ready to move ahead and look forward to the opportunity to generate new investment which will provide jobs as well as more homes in our area.”


  • 08 June 2017 12:10 PM | Deleted user

    Making the i360 Domed Plaque - Fine Cut

    See how Fine Cut crafted the British Airways i360 Domed Plaque
    Unveiled by His Royal Highness the Duke of Edinburgh

    Fabricated in highly polished aluminium

    & measuring 700mm diameter, this impressive domed circular plaque was to take centre place in the lobby of the i360. 

    Read the full project case study here.

  • 08 June 2017 12:04 PM | Deleted user

    “New tourism plan will put Worthing back on the map”

    “A tourism plan to put Worthing back on the map” - that’s the pledge from Worthing Borough Council leaders as a bold new marketing campaign was unveiled.

    Discover Worthing is a brand new website aimed at boosting visitor numbers and urging people to look again at what the town has to offer.

    The aim is to build on the town’s already successful tourism industry, which attracts more than four million visitors a year and brings £138 million into the local economy.

    Councillor Kevin Jenkins, Worthing Borough Council’s executive member for regeneration, said:

    “I’m delighted to see the launch of this new website, which will help bring a new audience to our amazing town.

    “With stunning countryside and wonderful open seafront, a great range of high quality restaurants, a thriving arts and culture scene plus a host of activities for families and young people, there’s never been a better time for people to Discover Worthing.”

    Discover Worthing’s emphasis is on showing visitors, old and new, that the town is much more than a traditional UK beach resort.

    An increase in the number of younger people living in the town means that independent businesses are thriving while Worthing is fast becoming a regional hub for the arts and culture.

    A host of summer events are already planned by the council, including:

    ·         Summer of Circus Festival

    ·         StreetVelodrome cycle race in June

    ·         A seafront bike hire scheme

    In addition to providing information on upcoming attractions and events, the new website includes blog posts from local people with ideas and inspiration for visitors to make the most of their stay.

    For those keen to get outdoors, there’s also cycle and running routes created by residents who have first-hand experience of the best places locally.

    Among the highlights listed are:

    ·         Rachael’s Cissbury Trail Run

    ·         Andy’s bike ride to the Shack and back

    ·         Foody Worthing - 11 of the best spots to eat and drink in town

    Judy Fox, Visitor Experience and Marketing Officer at Worthing Borough Council, said:

    “This new website is aimed at raising the profile of Worthing, by achieving new and repeat visitors, encouraging them to extend the stay and extending the season beyond the summer months.

    “This website is aimed at younger audiences, at families and active older people. We have gone bright and bold using blog posts to inspire people as well as providing fun facts, suggested itineraries and possible routes which encourage visitors to get off the beaten track.”

    The website has already received positive comments from the town’s business community.

    Anthony Dickinson, manager of St Paul's community hub in Chapel Road, said:

    “It’s so exciting to finally have a website that shows off all the great things that are going on in and around the town.

    “It's really easy to navigate and by the look of it will be updated regularly, so any residents or visitors will be able to keep up with all the cool stuff that's being organised."

    Anne Williams, director of Worthing Accommodation, the town’s only self catering apartment provider, said:

    “We think Discover Worthing is a really exciting development for tourism. Bringing the website up to date reflects the diverse and exciting offer available to our tourists.

    “Worthing has such a contemporary and unique offer and the website really starts to celebrate that.”

    Photo: Eunice Bergan

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