The Art of Interactive Space

26 April 2017

St Paul’s Art Centre, Worthing

Event overview for speakers and presenters:

Worthing is a growing centre for creative industries and Adur & Worthing Councils are currently investing in a range of digital infrastructure and regeneration projects.

Colonnade House received funding from the Coastal Communities Fund and is supported by the council and by Adur & Worthing Trust. As well as providing studio space for creative businesses, the ground floor gallery space is a showcase for the wide range of creative work that is happening here.

The Geminate II installation received funding from Arts Council England and Worthing Borough Council and demonstrated how digital art can create compelling experiences for people, bringing them out to playfully interact in the town centre in the evenings, across all age groups, backgrounds and abilities.

The Art of Interactive Space follow-up event is an opportunity to find out more about Geminate II from the artists who created it and, by introducing a range of other projects that are also exploring the potential of digital technology, asks what else could digital do to engage with people?

There are opportunities for networking, discussions and questions – including asking how digital technology could transform Worthing, and what is the art of making participation in digital environments work - whether for enjoyment, education or social benefit.

Adur & Worthing share Brighton and Hove Albion's joy in Premiership promotion, as their award winning partnership continues

Leader of Adur District Council, Councillor Neil Parkin is pictured congratulating Brighton & Hove Albion Chief Executive Martin Perry yesterday (today 20th April), on his team's recent promotion into the Premier league and on the eve of their all important game against Norwich, where a win for B&HA will secure their place as Championship winners.

Adur District Council unanimously supported the build of the Albion's training ground in 2012 and the facility is now considered the third best of its kind in Europe.

Martin Perry said;

"Many thanks to Head of Adur District Council and long time Albion supporter Councillor Neil Parkin for his congratulations this morning.  I know he speaks on behalf of our many fans across the whole of Adur & Worthing too.  It was great to see him at the American Express Elite Football Performance Centre here in Lancing.  

As a club, from the first team through to the Academy, we are grateful for the support of Adur District Council with the planning and development of our training ground, which is among the best in the world and now home to Brighton and Hove Albion, as a Premiership team.

“Our promotion to the Premier League will bring a huge economic boost to the whole of the area and we look forward to continuing our enormously fruitful relationship with the Council as we bring forward a strategic site at New Monks Farm and the realisation of an important part of its emerging Adur Local Plan.”

Councillor Neil Parkin added

“Well done the Seagulls!  On behalf of their very many fans across Adur and Worthing, who are bursting with pride on their hard fought and very well deserved promotion.  I am very proud also to have supported Martin and Brighton and Hove Albion’s ambitions in the development of their excellent training facility, here in Lancing.  We worked very closely with him and his team right from the start and identified Council owned land suitable for this site and their needs.

I look forward to working with Martin again, on the New Monks Farm Development, as part of the £150 million regeneration development for Lancing, that will welcome IKEA and the employment opportunities they bring and approximately 600 new homes for the area.”

Images attached; left Leader of Adur District Council, Councillor Neil Parkin and right Brighton and Hove Albion Football Club Chief Executive, Martin Perry.

Alternative funding on the up

Alternative funding options have proliferated in recent years, and will be a major theme at BITE 2017 (Business, Innovation, Technology and Efficiency) hosted by MHA Carpenter Box at the Amex Stadium, Brighton on Thursday 27 April.

Andy Davis, former editor of FT Weekend and author of the ‘Beyond the Banks’ report on alternative finance, will be one of the industry experts forming an Alternative Funding panel at the free one-day conference, and he’s looking forward to sharing his expertise with local business leaders.

“The alternative funding market is still small when compared to traditional banks, but it can provide a faster and more flexible option for businesses. For example, it’s a route increasingly used for unsecured loans of £50k - £70k,” explained Andy.

One major provider of alternative finance – Funding Circle – is a peer-to-peer lending marketplace that allows investors to lend money directly to small and medium-sized businesses. It currently has a total loan book of £1.2 billion, £820 million of which was lent during 2016 alone.

Small and medium sized businesses are accessing peer-to-peer finance in increasing numbers to help them deliver their strategies for growth.

“BITE will help businesses to develop an understanding of a funding market which offers more options than ever for raising finance, but which can also be complex. With the support of experts in this field, local businesses will gain expert insight into a growing marketplace that offers a wide range of opportunities.” 

To register your interest or book a stand at BITE, please visit www.bite2017.com.

Speaking outside Downing Street, she confirmed that an election will be held on 8 June.

The move comes despite the government previously denying it would call a snap election.

The Prime Minister said: "The country is coming together, but Westminster is not.

"Let us remove the risk of uncertainty and instability, and continue to give the country the strong and stable leadership it demands."

May, Conservative MP for Maidenhead since 1997, became Prime Minister on 13 July 2016 having previously served as Home Secretary from May 2010 until July 2016.

Read more from Insider News here

REVAMPED CONNAUGHT STUDIO PROVING TO BE A BIG HIT

Fans of the big screen are flocking to enjoy Worthing Theatres’ recently revamped Connaught Studio.

Since the new £80,000 seats were installed in February at the venue which was built in 1916, thousands of people have streamed through the doors.

In the first six weeks, there have been more than 20 sell-out performances with early indications showing that ticket sales are up more than 10 per cent up in some weeks than on the same dates last year.

Those that oversee the Worthing Borough Council venue have been delighted at the reaction from the wider public.

​Cllr Dr Heather Mercer, Worthing Borough Council’s executive member for customer services, said:

"Having been one of the first people to try out the renovated studio I can proudly say that it is a fantastic place to enjoy a whole range of entertainment.

“This refit was all about improving the customer experience and it’s no surprise that so many people have been queuing up to get in.

“The sound system is one of the best around while the new tiered seating also means that we can host a variety of other live shows in a beautiful building.

“There have been a few teething problems, which is always inevitable when carrying out major work to a historic building. But we are constantly working hard to improve things for loyal and new customers alike.

“This is a perfect example of how the council is creating a platform for people of all ages to enjoy themselves in a state-of-the-art venue while bringing in more money to support the council’s work.”

The revamped studio went live on February 20.

The new seating was installed as part of a wider plan to improve the customer experience at the 160-capacity venue.

It includes a new sound system, donated by local business Bowers and Wilkins.

Among the most popular shows have been Beauty and the Beast, an 80s throwback screening of Robocop and half-term screenings of popular children’s movies, such as Peppa Pig and Sing.