Trunk road not forgotten in Government investment announcement

Significant improvements to the A27, directly benefitting Adur and Worthing, are to be made in the “biggest upgrade to roads in a generation”, under plans announced today by the Government.

A constant source of frustration to residents and businesses alike, the A27 has long been cited as a barrier to economic and social growth in the south east – issues felt no more keenly than by the residents and businesses of Adur and Worthing.

Today, however, the Government has pledged to invest £350million into the A27 in a move designed which will deliver the world class infrastructure required to support growing local communities and economies.

Neil Parkin, Leader of Adur District Council, says:
“I am delighted by the fact that £350million will be invested in the A27 in a series of much awaited upgrades.  As someone who drives for a living, it’s all too obvious how below standard infrastructure adds unnecessary time and expense to simply getting about – whether for business or for pleasure.  I very much look forward to seeing the planned improvements and how they will benefit Adur residents and businesses.”

Leader of Worthing Borough Council, Paul Yallop, adds:
“I very much welcome the news that Worthing is going to benefit from this significant investment in a road which has caused so much frustration.  The Government talks about developing world-class infrastructure – I am convinced that, when completed, the improved A27 will support our local priorities as being world class places to live and work.  The detail surrounding the improvement works will make interesting and, I hope, inspiring, reading.”

The impact of significantly improving the A27 will be felt by businesses throughout the South East, as Andrew Swayne, Chairman of the Adur and Worthing Business Partnership, comments:

“The Adur and Worthing Business Partnership is delighted to hear the news that the A27 Action campaign has successfully made the case for a coherent set of improvements along our key trunk road. Reduced congestion and smother traffic flow are good for the environment and the economy.

“We look forward to seeing detailed plans in the coming months and the series of junction improvements being implemented quickly in an organised manner. We will be actively involving our membership and working with other partnerships to ensure an excellent scheme is delivered.”

More information on the improvements to the A27 will be made available by the Department for Transport in the coming months.

Regeneration of Worthing’s derelict Aquarena site

You are no doubt already aware of the proposals for a £40million redevelopment of the derelict Aquarena building on Brighton Road. The site has been empty since April 2013 and has been designated a key regeneration site in Worthing Borough Council’s core strategy. This development is Phase 2 of the Masterplan for this site to pay for the fantastic new Splashpoint swimming and leisure facility.

Roffey Homes are proposing to rejuvenate the site to create a quality landmark development that will be a positive sign of Worthing’s prosperity as a vibrant town and tourist destination, helping to stimulate growth and attract further investment. It would include 147 new homes (a third of which will be affordable or low-cost), open public spaces, a new 77-space public car park for Splashpoint and seafront users, and a rejuvenated seafront area both surrounding the site and extending westwards
past Beach House Gardens.

The project will generate additional business for shops, cafés, restaurants and other small businesses on nearby Brighton Road and across the town, both during and post-construction. The three-year construction is expected to support as many as 100 new jobs at any one time, with around half going to local workers who in turn will spend their earnings in the town.

A number of local business people have already expressed their support. Restaurateur Andy Sparsis says, “the development would be good news for shops, cafés and restaurants,” and hotelier Michael Clinch says, “I’m glad Roffey Homes is willing to invest to support Worthing’s economy”.

Roffey Homes would really value the support of businesses and their staff from across the town that would benefit from the development.

To formally register your support, visit the council’s planning website http://planning.adur-worthing.gov.uk/online-applications/  and use the application number AWDM/1636/14

Changes to Parking Restrictions in Worthing

Worthing

West Sussex County Council is currently working with Worthing Borough Council and Mott MacDonald Consultants on a review of the Worthing Controlled Parking Zone (CPZ).

Following a consultation held in October 2013, proposals to change the parking restrictions have been prepared for various roads within Broadwater and East Worthing and the informal views of the public are again being sought. This latest consultation will run from early December until 23 January 2015 and all responses will be reported to County Councillors at a meeting of the Worthing County Local Committee in Spring 2015. At this meeting, a decision should be made on whether to proceed with further consultation later in the year.

Broadwater

Some proposals to extend the yellow lines in Broadwater have been put forward for safety/access reasons. There are also plans to increase the amount of parking available for residents in the existing CPZ. Site notices will be erected in each of the roads affected during the consultation period.

Any comments on the Broadwater proposals should be sent via the electronic response form. Alternatively, please contact:

	Email: broadwater@mottmac.com
	Address: Mott MacDonald Transport Planning (Parking) 8-10 Sydenham Road Croydon CR0 2EE

East Worthing

Proposals have been prepared to extend the current CPZ to the east, incorporating roads such as Ham Road, Archibald Road and Ophir Road. All properties within the proposed extension boundary will be sent a covering letter, a plan, a response form and a freepost envelope. Information notices will also be posted in the area.

Some changes to the existing CPZ have also been proposed in order to improve safety/access and increase the amount of parking for residents. Site notices will be erected in each of the roads affected during the consultation period.

Any comments on the East Worthing proposals should be sent via the electronic response form. Alternatively, please contact:

	Email: eastworthing@mottmac.com
	Address: Mott MacDonald Transport Planning (Parking) 8-10 Sydenham Road Croydon CR0 2EE

Residents or businesses affected by the CPZ proposals can also contact Mott MacDonald on 020 8774 2078 for further information.

Supporting documents

• Broadwater minor amendments 1 (PDF, 239KB)
• Broadwater minor amendments 2 (PDF, 255KB)
• Broadwater minor amendments 3 (PDF, 259KB)
• Broadwater minor amendments 4 (PDF, 260KB)
• Broadwater minor amendments 5 (PDF, 244KB)
• Georgia Avenue area (PDF, 542KB)
• Beaumont Road area (PDF, 962KB)
• King Edward area (PDF, 812KB)
• East Worthing area - consultation plan (PDF, 934KB)
• East Worthing area - informal letter (Word, 331KB)
• East Worthing minor amendments 1 (PDF, 272KB)
• East Worthing minor amendments 2 (PDF, 225KB)
• East Worthing minor amendments 3 (PDF, 224KB)
• East Worthing minor amendments 4 (PDF, 231KB)

 

Worthing Town Centre - Zones A/B/C Parking Review

West Sussex County Council, working with Island Highway and Transport Consultants, is carrying out a review of the operation of the parking scheme in Worthing town centre, specifically Zones A, B and C.

Some changes have already been made to the existing parking restrictions in order to increase the amount of parking for residents and visitors, and we are now keen to find out if residents and businesses would like the days/hours of restriction to be reviewed. 

A letter and questionnaire (see below for details) have been sent to all properties within Zones A, B and C and the closing date for responses is 19 December 2014. All responses will then be reported to County Councillors at a meeting of the Worthing County Local Committee in Spring 2015, and a decision will be made on whether to proceed with further consultation on detailed proposals.

Supporting documents

• Worthing Town Centre (Zones A/B/C) letter (Word, 203KB)
• Worthing Town Centre (Zones A/B/C) questionnaire (Word, 31KB)

Be the Business Start and Grow Grants

Following the success of the first round of the Be the Business start and grow grants, West Sussex County Council are pleased to announce that they have invested further in the Be the Business programme for 2014-2015. A pot of £180,000 is available to help businesses to start-up and to grow in West Sussex.

This programme is for start-ups, early-stage companies (1-2 years) and for established and growing businesses in West Sussex where, if applicable, the business rates are/will be paid. Businesses planning to relocate in West Sussex are also eligible but if successful, the grant will only be paid after relocation has taken place. The programme is open to micro and Small and Medium Size Enterprises (SMEs) in West Sussex.

Applicants will be required to provide at least 50% of the total project costs as match-funding. The business proposal must be linked to the creation or safeguarding of jobs in West Sussex.

This year, 50% of the funding available will be dedicated to specific sectors we wish to encourage to come forward with their ideas, particularly to submit bids with other businesses in the same sector to address problems they have in common.

These sectors are:
    Manufacturing, particularly linked to healthcare, aviation or marine industry
    Low carbon and renewable technologies
    Tourism and local food
    Care
    Land based businesses

The remaining 50% of the fund will be open to applications from all sectors. Please note we reserve the right to change these allocations depending on demand.

The maximum amount of grant that can be requested for any individual project is £25,000. The maximum amount that can be requested for any sector project submitted in consortium is £75,000. Only sector projects can be submitted in consortium

The list below gives some examples of the type of activities which could be eligible for grants:
    Purchase of machinery and equipment
    Premises refurbishment/expansion
    Feasibility work relating to business expansion
    Development and implementation of business strategies to improve sales and commercial performance
    Knowledge transfer-related activities
    Product development
    Efficiency improvements

NB: This is not an exhaustive list, and we will consider other projects where applicants need financial support to sustain and grow their business.

Guidelines, Application Form and Grant Acceptance terms are all available to download at http://www.bethebusiness.org/grants/ If you would like more information on the Start Up and Grow Grants please contact: info@bethebusiness.org

Message from Worhing Churches Homeless Prioject:

Today Worthing Churches Homeless Project are in competition with the People’s Millions to win £50,000 to rejuvenate Beach House Park in Worthing.  This would be brilliant for our charity, helping build community cohesion with our clients, but also enabling them to give back to the community that has helped them.  Please please help us with this by telephoning Landline 09015 228216 Mobile 6228216, option 1   and voting for Parks for People.   Calls cost 15p – you can vote up to ten times from each telephone number that you have – so please invest £1.50 in supporting our charity!

Please also pass this on to everyone you know and encourage them to support us with this.

More information is available at

http://www.peoplesmillions.org.uk/2014-finalists/meridian-west/parks-for-people

Congratulations to all the Winners and Highly Commended
at the Business Awards on Friday

The Winners and Highly Commended are:

Start Up Business
Winners - the Wandering Goose
Highly Commended - Baked
Highly Commended - Well Woman and Beauty Room    

Small Business
Winners - Pixel by Pixel
Highly Commended - Mathemagical
Highly Commended - Simmons Signs

Medium Business
Winners - Assystem UK
Highly Commended - Sussex Transport    

Large Business
Winners - ETI
Highly Commended - Netbuilder

Retailer
Winners - Mrs Robinsons Store
Highly Commended - Molly Coddle Childrens Wear

Customer Service
Winners - Panic Plumbing & Heating
Highly Commended - Investment Solutions Wealth Management
Highly Commended - Hunters Recruitment & Training

Place to Eat
Winners - Tosca Restorante
Highly Commended - The Beach House bar & cafe    

Hospitality Tourism & leisure
Winners - Southern Pavilion Events

Innovation
Winners - Flare Audio

Green Business
Winners - Littlehampton Book Services

Manufacturing & Construction
Winners - Silcotec Europe UK    

Training & Development
Winners - The Health & Beauty Lounge

Outstanding Contribution to the Community
Winners - Northbrook College
Highly Commended - Heaton and Highgrove House Care Homes   

Young Achiever
Winner - Gregory Hills - ETI
Winner - Sian Panton - Sussex Transport
Highly Commended - Taruna Bhushan - Netbuilder

Business Personality
Winner - Darren Crabb    

Readers Choice
Winners - Inspired by the Sea

Overall Business of the Year
Winners - ETI    

Lifetime Achievement
Winner - Andrew Swayne

Congratulations and Good Luck to all those Shortlisted at the Adur & Worthing Business Awards

We are looking forward to seeing you all the awards ceremony this evening at the Pavilion Theatre. Record numbers attending which will make for a fantastic evening of celebrations!!

Overall Business  – Sponsored by  spofforths
Start – Up – Sponsored by Adur & Worthing Councils
Baked
Clean Cut Gardening
Core Cleaning Services
Nature Shop UK
Rocking Horse
Sussex Bread Company
The Wandering Goose
THL
Well Woman and Baby Room

Small Business  (up to 9 employees)- Sponsored by Adur & Worthing Business Partnership
Antrams Financial Services LLP
Barebones Communications
Clean Cut Gardening
Core Cleaning Services
Mathemagical Ltd
Mocha furniture Ltd
Molly Coddle Childrens Wear
Pixel by Pixel
Simmons Signs Ltd
Smartwood Flooring
The Business Hub Partnership trading as AUditel
The Forge Gallery & Designer Glass
The HR Point Ltd
Tomfoolery Coffee Company
Towbex LTD
Willow Private Finance

Medium Business (10 to 15 employees) – Sponsored by Wannops LLP
Assystem UK Limited
Investment Solutions Wealth Management Ltd
Nordell Ltd
Sussex Transport
The Beach House Bar and Café
Winner Event

Innovation  – Sponsored by ETI
Cuckoo Communications
Flare Audio
Mathemagical Ltd
Pixel by Pixel
Ricardo UK Ltd
Simmons Signs Limited

Business Personality – Sponsored by The Martlet Partnership LLP
Andrew Swayne (Ricardo UK Ltd)
Darren Crabb Wealth Management
Jonathan Nulty
Melanie Peters (Best of Worthing)
Mike Punter Chairman – Lancing Business Park

Lifetime Achievement  – Sponsored by JSPC Computer Services Ltd
Andrew Swayne (Ricardo UK Ltd)
Sally Neil-Smith of Heaton and Highrove House Care Homes

Outstanding contribution to the community – Sponsored by Basepoint
Ann Feloy
Darren Crabb Wealth Management
Diane Guest
Investment Solutions Wealth Management
Northbrook College
Worthing Churches Homeless Projects
Worthing Town FC
Sally Neil-Smith of Heaton and Highrove House Care Homes

Young Achiever  – Sponsored by Northbrook College Sussex
Chloe Langton (towbex.net)
Elouise Date (Hunters Recruitment & Training Ltd
Emma Hopper (Vanilla Pod Beauty)
Gregory Hills (ETI Ltd)
James Smith (NETbuilder)
Sian Panton (Sussex Transport)
Taruna Bhushan (NETbuilder)

Large Business (50 plus employees) – Sponsored by  Carpenter Box
ETI Ltd
Focus Group
Netbuilder
Ricardo UK Ltd

Hospitality, Tourism and Leisure  – Sponsored by  VIP Venues
Coombes Farm (The Passmore Family)
Northbrook College,
Shoreham RiverFest
Worthing Pier Events Ltd

Customer Service  – Sponsored by Worthing & Adur Chamber of Commerce
Barebones Communications
Domluca
Halo Hair Design
Hunters Recruitment & Training Ltd
Investment Solutions Wealth Management Ltd
Molly Coddle Childrens Wear
Panic Plumbing & Electrics
Pete Hart Carpets
Spicer International
Subway exhibitions Limited
Vantage Professional Risks

Place to Eat
All Beef Burger Co
The Beach House bar and cafe
Tomfoolery Coffee Company
Tosca Restorante

Manufacturing & Construction
Flare Audio
Goldstone Homes Limited
Silcotec Europe UK Ltd
Simmons Signs Limited

Training & Development – Sponsored by Gates & Moloney
Benchmark Windows
Glide Training
Jules Halliday
Sheryl Tipton Marketing Consultant
Sussex Learning Solutions
The Health & Beauty lounge

Green Business – Sponsored by Seagull Travel and Winner Events
Adur & Worthing Councils Commercial Waste Service
Basepoint Centres Ltd
Littlehampton Book Services Ltd
Red Inc
Wash & Go

Retailer
Molly Coddle Childrens Wear
Inspired by the Sea
Mocha Furniture Ltd
Mrs Robinsons Store
Pete Hart Carpets

Airport Commission’s Consultation
Wednesday 11th November.

This morning, the Airports Commission publishes their consultation on shortlisted options for a new runway, highlighting the strengths of Gatwick’s case. Their full release can be found here.

Stewart Wingate, Gatwick CEO, said:

“The Airport Commission’s consultation published today underlines why momentum is gathering behind Gatwick’s case for airport expansion in the South East. The Commission will have to consider a range of factors in making their final decision. Their report today indicates why expansion at Gatwick best answers all the questions. It can give the country two world class airports.”

Gatwick’s full press release can be found at the bottom of this email, and online here

The commission are now inviting formal submissions & have called for businesses and the community to submit these through their website here.

All the information on Gatwick’s submission can be found on our website here.

If you have any questions on the process or alternative ways you can have your voice heard, please drop me a line.

Kindest regards
Hannah Staunton
Head of Community Engagement

t. 01293 504 482
m. 07810 823 358

Prime Minister signals A27 in line for upgrade in next month’s Autumn Statement

Date: 10 November 2014

David Cameron has given the strongest indication yet that major improvements to the A27 will go ahead.
Written material from a speech he gave to the Confederation of British Industry on Monday revealed the A27 was in line for Government funding, as part of a £15bn package to revolutionise England’s roads.

The news pre-empts Chancellor George Osborne’s Autumn Statement on Wednesday 3 December 2014, when further details will be officially announced.
The A27 Action Campaign, made up of councils, business leaders and local MPs, has spent several months lobbying the Government to commit to solving the notorious congestion that affects the road.


It has called for dual carriageway across West Sussex, an Arundel bypass, better junctions at Chichester, Fontwell and Brighton, improvements along the Worthing to Lancing corridor, and improved A27/A26 access to Newhaven.

A business case, demonstrating how problems with the A27 affect the local economy and prevent growth, was handed to the Government earlier this autumn.
West Sussex County Council’s Leader, Louise Goldsmith, said: “We have had a strong campaign, supported by many people, about dualling the A27 from east to west.
“It certainly looks like David Cameron has acknowledged the effort and the case we have put in, although we still don’t know the detail yet.
“We are waiting for more information in the Autumn Statement on December 3, and we will be continuing to campaign right up until that day.”
She added the campaign was pushing for an “end to end solution” from east to west.
Anything less would hinder economic growth and would continue to cause problems with rat runs through smaller villages.

Louise said: “There are two important areas. There is obviously the Arundel bypass and then the dualling right the way through Worthing.
“This would make a substantial difference – not only to people using the A27 but to the surrounding villages.
“There is an awful lot of rat running going through these areas – so these improvements would benefit so many people.”
For more information visit the A27 Action website or click ‘like’ on the A27 Action page on Facebook.

Lord-Lieutenant of West Sussex presents Chamber member with the Queens Award
 
On Tuesday 4th November Susan Pyper the Lord-Lieutenant of West Sussex, accompanied by a number of distinguished guests including Jonathan Lucas the West Sussex High Sheriff and the Mayor of Worthing Vic Walker, visited Electronic Temperature Instruments Ltd’s (ETI) new 12,000 square feet temperature sensor manufacturing facility in Dominion Way Worthing, and presented the company with their prestigious Queen’s Award for Enterprise for International Trade.   It is the second time in three years that ETI have received The Queens Award, and the Lord-Lieutenant commended the company on its outstanding achievement, in her address to the ETI work force, many of whom were present at the ceremony.
 
ETI’s Managing Director, Peter Webb, set up the business with his wife Miriam in 1983.  A local Worthing manufacturing success story, the company now sells over one million thermometers every year; making it the UK’s largest digital thermometer manufacturer and exporter.  As a result ETI has seen continued growth with an annual turnover in excess of £10 million.
 
Still a family run business, the company proudly manufactures nearly three-quarters of its hand-built products on site at its two factories in East Worthing, providing employment for 160 local people. 
 
Delighted to receive such a prestigious accolade, Peter Webb said, "Receiving the Queen's Award for Enterprise is an honour for the company and recognises the achievements and dedication undertaken by all of our employees.  By investing just over £1 million in our new factory in Dominion Way this year, we have been able to lay the foundations for the continued growth of the business in years to come.”