BuildingAW goes live: "We are optimistic for the future of our town centres"

Town centres brimming with new life and a winning mix of shopping, restaurants and culture is the goal for Adur & Worthing Councils, says the officer leading efforts to revitalise these important assets.

Across the UK - and indeed throughout the world - town and city centres are facing challenges with a decline of traditional retail and the south coast is no different.

But today Martin Randall, the Councils’ Director for the Economy, spells out his optimism for the future and reveals a string of developments which he believes will help transform the fortunes of the centres.

In an interview with the Councils’ BuildingAW magazine he says he wants to help:

• Build more homes to bring hundreds more residents into the centres breathing new life into the areas.
• Continue to support and develop cultural life in the centres giving people more reason to visit.
• Encourage the creation of town centre jobs by the creation of cutting edge office space.
• Continue to do all he can to support and encourage independent retailing while backing national chains
• Support efforts to bring in high speed public WiFi in the centres to increase connectivity

In the interview Randall points out there are currently scores of projects either about to begin or in the pipeline which are creating homes and jobs spaces bringing people back into the centres after decades in which residents across the UK drifted away.

He said: “I think what you will see is more and more people choosing to live in the centre, right next to the sea in a place that is connected and accessible, where a walk can take you to buy a loaf of bread or a theatre ticket.

“I think town centres need to hum with life and that life won’t only be about retail - our cultural offerings, theatre, music and the rest will go from strength to strength and our restaurants, bars and coffee shops will be thriving.”

He admits that all town centres were currently in transition as some retail switches online but says that the location of our centres gives him great hope.

Randall said: “If you look at the fantastic locations we have, sandwiched between the Downs and the sea, you can see that these are still places people want to come to either to live or to visit.

“That gives me great comfort and if you look at the efforts Councils and the community make to keep our seafronts smart and enticing that is a big part of our offer. The seafronts and town centres must work in tandem, they must be a winning combination.”

Among the developments Randall highlights today are the Ham Road car park development in Shoreham now the home to 450 workers at Focus Group in state-of-the-art offices built on land owned by Adur District Council. He points to a similar move by HMRC into the former Teville Gate House building in Worthing with hundreds of workers moving back into the town centre.

Meanwhile homes are planned for the former Adur Civic Centre site which is just five minutes walk from the station and Lancing’s Luxor cinema, with iconic fascia preserved, has been converted into 12 flats. In Worthing, permission has been granted to St Clair Developments to create 45 flats above a newly-revamped Beales department store, ensuring the retailer remains committed to the town for years to come.

Randall said: “I know there is concern about city and town centres at present and many are going through tough times but the key is to have a plan in place to transition and we certainly have that.”

Purple flag For Worthing 

Worthing town centre has been awarded a Purple Flag signifying it is a destination for a safe and vibrant night out.

Inspectors for the scheme recognised that the town centre was heading in the right direction with venues, businesses and police all working together to ensure the town centre after hours was a pleasant place to visit.

Worthing Borough Council’s Executive Member for Regeneration, Cllr Kevin Jenkins, said, ‘I’m delighted we have received this recognition. It tells people they can expect a decent night out in a safe environment.

‘We recognise that there is more to do with our town centre and we have ongoing improvement plans including more seafront restaurants, more open and pleasant avenues and of course the WOW wheel opening for rides soon.

‘The Purple Flag is a great platform on which to build.’

The Flag scheme, run by the Association of Town and City Management (ATCM) works in a similar way to the Green Flag for parks and the Blue Flag for beaches. It allows members of the public to quickly identify town & city centres that offer an entertaining, diverse, safe and enjoyable night out. Around 70 towns and cities are currently accredited.

ATCM inspectors visited Worthing to gather information and interviewed stakeholders. Among the positive findings were

• A good and well balanced mix of restaurants
• An attractive seafront and promenade
• A clear seafront investment plan
• Cinema and theatre added to the early evening offer
• Well managed late night venues
• Plenty of well-lit car parking available
• Fast and efficient policing when required
• Strong relationship with multiple partners committed to raising standards
• Effective CCTV and well supported Pubwatch and Shopwatch schemes

The Borough Council will receive a Purple Flag to fly at a site of its choosing. ATCM says its research indicates that Purple Flag can bring real benefits which include, a raised profile and an improved public image for the location, a wider patronage, increased expenditure, lower crime and anti-social behaviour and a more successful mixed use economy in the longer term.

Worthing Borough Council led the bid but were aided by a host of other organisations including Worthing Pub/Club Watch, Worthing Neighbourhood Watch, the Late Night Partnership and the Worthing Hospitality Federation.

PURPLE FLAG: TOP TEN THINGS TO DO WHEN THE SUN GOES DOWN

1)  Worthing Theatres: Take in a show at the one of the fantastic venues operated by Worthing Theatres - don't miss the annual Summer of Circus festival of indoor and outdoor performances. You’ll be among an audience that continues to grow each year.

2)  Restaurants: You'll love Worthing independents foodie scene - Masterchef champion and Worthing boy Kenny Tutt has just opened his Pitch restaurant in Warwick Street joining a host of excellent eateries which have gained strong reputations including Crabshack which was recently named as one of the top ten best beach restaurants in Europe by The Guardian.

3)  Bars and Pubs: Sip a sundowner overlooking  the sea, glam up and head out for a cocktail or drop in for a craft beer at one of our many micropubs

4) Live Music: From large scale venues to intimate bars, book in to see a favourite band or check out emerging talent at one of our many live music venues including, The Egremont Pub & Cellar Arts Club

5) Sunset Cycle: Pick up a donkey bike and head out for a sunset pedal along the prom  

6) Nightclubs: Get your hands in the air while you dance the night away at one of our night club venues including Bar 10, Coast Cafe or Molotov

7) Light Festivals: Join the glow revolution at one of Worthing annual light and lantern festivals  - Jack on the Green (October), Worthing Light Festival (September)

8)  Find your inner you: at one of our holistic wellbeing centres for yoga, meditation and more

9 ) Take in a movie at the vintage Dome Cinema - one of the Uk's oldest working cinemas and a Worthing landmark

10)  Have a giggle at one of the towns regular comedy nights including The Goose and The Pavilion Cafe Bar

For more information of great things to do when the sun goes down go to   https://discoverworthing.uk/

Kreston Reeves Chairman Clive Stevens retires after 42 years

Clive Stevens the long-serving chairman of accountants, business and financial advisers Kreston Reeves has officially retired from the firm which he has been pivotal in expanding to be one the largest in the South East after 42 years with the business.

At a drinks reception at Canterbury Cathedral Lodge, friends, colleagues and clients gathered and heard Clive’s journey with the firm. Clive had joined the firm’s Sandwich office in 1977 (what then was Reeves & Neylan) and he then went on to work in their Margate office. Clive’s determination and drive saw him work in the firm’s Canterbury and Sittingbourne offices before becoming a partner of the firm in 1989 and Managing Partner in 1995. Clive’s ambitions for the business were to expand westwards, merging or acquiring practices in Chatham, London and across Sussex with the merger with Spofforths in 2016.

Clive became chairman of the firm in 2013 and for the past six years, under his chairmanship, the firm has continued to grow becoming a top 25 firm in the UK with more than 17,000 clients.

Andrew Griggs, Senior Partner at Kreston Reeves, described Clive’s energy and drive as legendary; “he always pushes for action and gets things done.”

As well as being a director and Chairman of the firms’ international Kreston network which includes over 200 firms across the world, he is also a Kent Ambassador, Deputy Lieutenant of Kent and a past Director of Locate in Kent. Clive is a council member of the industry’s professional body ICAEW, a member of the Institute of Directors and the Royal Society of Arts. Clive is also the Chairman of the Turner Contemporary Gallery in Margate.

Andrew Griggs continued: “Clive has often said it was his first job after school – stacking chairs on Margate beach and managing the takings which originally inspired him to become an accountant. It’s entirely appropriate that over 40 successful years later, he should be surveying those same beaches in his role as Chairman to Turner Contemporary and on the cusp of welcoming the iconic Turner Prize exhibition to Margate in December 2019.”

Clive Stevens commented: “I’ve been involved with managing the firm for the last 25 years and it is much more than a business, it works at the forefront of a profession which in my view has obligations to act in a wider public interest which also serves the communities in which we work. This is what makes the firm and the people in it valuable and I think this is the secret to your future success in a rapidly changing and volatile world. I will still continue with my roles in the wider profession and community and will be a consultant to Kreston Reeves so the word retirement is a bit of a misnomer. I would like to thank you all for your support in my career to date. I only hope that in some small way I have been able to touch your life for the better as you all have done for mine.”

Coastal West Sussex Mind is looking for new Trustees!

Coastal West Sussex Mind is a highly regarded local charity providing services and support to people with mental health issues. We are looking for new Trustees with financial experience to join our Board of Trustees.

What are we looking for?

You will have a strong financial background; are accountancy qualified or working towards a qualification. We’re open to a wide range of financial backgrounds, diverse experience and ages.

Who are we?

We are a long-standing West Sussex charity, celebrating our 50^th year in 2020. Recent years have seen strong growth and our current income is almost £1.3 million.

We are currently in the process of merging with another local mental health charity, which will bring our annual income to £1.8 million.

We are a stable and experienced Board including senior professionals from business, the public sector and local politicians. One third of our Board places are reserved for service users, reflecting our commitment to putting people with mental health issues at the heart of our work.

There is an experienced management team with highly motivated CEO and Deputy CEO. We are seen as a trusted and reputable local provider with strong links to NHS and local authority commissioners in the county.

What does it involve?

You would be one of a 14 strong Board of Trustees who lead and oversee the work of some very committed staff. You would help create strategy and ensure our services deliver for our beneficiaries. We do this through a mixture of formal Board meetings, workshops and service visits – your commitment would probably amount to about ten hours per month. Board meetings take place in the evening, although Finance Sub-Committee meetings take place during working hours (approximately 6 time per year). The role is voluntary but expenses are available.

What to do next?

To learn more about the role, feel free to contact one of our current Joint Treasurers, Daniel Bird, for an informal conversation. He can be reached by email at danielbird193@gmail.com or by telephone on 07834 537986.

Candidates who wish to apply for the position should then contact our Chair, Sally Lefroy, on sally.lefroy@coastalwestsussexmind.org with an expression of interest and a brief outline of the skills and experience you would bring to the role.

Those who take their interest further will be invited to informal interviews towards the end of July with the aim of joining the Board formally at the AGM in September.

Manufacturers remain Optimistic & Confident despite Brexit uncertainties

SME manufacturers and engineers remain broadly optimistic and confident about future growth, despite the uncertainties around Brexit, rising production costs and skill shortages. These are the findings of the recently published 2018/19 MHA Manufacturing and Engineering Report.

The findings of this year’s survey were gathered by Sussex and Gatwick-based chartered accountants, tax and business advisers, MHA Carpenter Box along with their national association MHA. The report draws on the national and regional insights from over 200 clients and contacts. It identifies opportunities and concerns facing UK manufacturing and engineering businesses and, despite uncertainties over Brexit, 71% reported that they achieved revenue growth over the last 12 months and 78% predict business growth over the next 12 months; for the South Coast, this figure is slightly lower at 60%.

The Report highlights that 58% of respondents export products and all of them export to the Eurozone but, interestingly, only 30% of respondents nationally cite Brexit uncertainty and trading tariff concerns as their main barrier to future success. Only 34% of respondents have a post-Brexit strategy in place and 66% report that they cannot plan for the impact of Brexit until they know the Government’s strategy and EU response.

92% of respondents expect their production costs to rise over the next 12 months, but 67% intend to absorb any price increases through improved productivity and efficiency, rather than pass them onto customers.   

In the South, staff retention and recruitment are even bigger issues this year than last year with 89% of respondents finding it difficult to recruit staff; this figure is 81% nationally. In addition, 27% of respondents in the South are already losing staff to the Brexit effect, with the national figure standing at 20%. Although not covered in the survey, there is also anecdotally a growing concern in the South around the lack of availability of commercial/factory space for both new and expanding businesses. It is also disappointing to see the survey’s finding regarding R&D tax credits as many businesses fail to make a claim despite the scope of the relief available.

MHA Carpenter Box Partner Chris Coopey, Head of Manufacturing at the firm, commented: “It is good to see that our manufacturers and engineers are remaining positive and optimistic about the future despite the uncertainties of the last two years around Brexit. That uncertainty is unlikely to dissipate any time soon, but I have no doubt that the sector will cope with whatever barriers appear.

“Without doubt, the long-standing issue of skill shortages in the sector has been made worse by Brexit and this is an issue we will be looking to address at our next meeting of the Manufacturing Engineering and Technology Alliance (METALL #10) on Thursday 11 April. At this meeting we will be bringing business and education professionals together to discuss the important role that schools and colleges can play in raising awareness of the great career opportunities there are in manufacturing and engineering for students wishing to pursue STEM subjects.”

You can review the full Manufacturing & Engineering report at:

www.carpenterbox.com/manufacturing-report 

If you would like to find out more information and attend METALL #10, please click on the following link:

www.metall.org.uk/events/ 

www.carpenterbox.com

New Brighton Office and new look for Award Winning Advisory Firm

MHA Carpenter Box, the award-winning accountancy, tax and wealth management practice has announced the opening of a new Brighton office in Ship Street in the south lanes area of the city. The opening of the latest addition to the firm’s two existing offices coincides with the launch of their new branding, so it will be an exciting time for the Gatwick and Worthing based firm.

Managing Partner, Alan Edwards commented: “Our new office and new look mark an important phase in the development of the firm. With a headcount of around 170 and a client care strategy that matches our new “Now, for tomorrow” tagline, we aim to deliver the kind of business advice that our clients need to help them on their business and personal journeys. Our new presence in Brighton is aimed at making conversations easier as we embed ourselves into the local business landscape and start to build new relationships.”

The office will be led by Partner elect Sam Uwins, who specialises in the digital media sector. He will be joined by a team of experienced tax and wealth management advisers who will help to deploy the firm’s considerable business advisory expertise to existing and new clients across Brighton and Hove. The office will be introducing itself by way of a launch party in May.

In a way, the new office is a homecoming for the MHA Carpenter Box. Robert Carpenter, one of the founding partners, practiced as a Chartered Accountant from Midland Bank Chambers in North Street when the firm came into being in 1924. Ninety-five years later MHA Carpenter Box has become a top 100 firm in its own right. As well as belonging to the national association MHA, the firm is an independent member of Baker Tilly International giving it the resource to help clients locally, nationally and internationally, with a global reach for its clients that stretches across 140 countries.

www.carpenterbox.com

Open letter to businesses in Worthing Town Centre

In January of this year Worthing Borough Council wrote to inform you about the issues being

experienced, our collective actions being taken and the challenges we have around

anti-social behaviour in the town centre.

We - the Council, Sussex Police and Worthing Town Centre Initiative - feel it is important to

provide you with another update.

Firstly, we know town centres are changing and appreciate that businesses are having to

work extremely hard through these challenging times. Thanks to your hard work Worthing’s

reputation as a place where people want to shop, visit and invest continues to grow.

It is important to us all that we continue to attract people into the town centre, making sure it

is a safe and welcoming environment where people want to spend time and money.

However, we share the concern about how recent events - particularly those which have

attracted a lot of social media attention - have created a negative impression.

We know these issues are not new and that Worthing - like other similar towns - is not

unique in experiencing these problems. However, the high-profile nature of some of this

anti-social behaviour has accelerated the need for organisations that support the town centre

- including you, the businesses - to come together and look at ways we can collectively

improve the situation for everyone.

What are we doing at the moment...

There are a number of evidence gathering and enforcement measures we have been

working on to alleviate some of the issues we have experienced against individuals and

items of concern. You will see, for example, the Section 41 notices being put in place along

Montague Street in the next few weeks, aimed at removing items accumulating in spaces, to

prevent encampments developing. For instance, some of you will have noticed the

‘encampment’ outside of Laura Ashley/Waterstones has now been cleared.

We are working on the issues of street drinking with a relatively small number of individuals

(up to 6 key individuals - a mixture of homeless and those accommodated) that have been

involved in ASB or drunk and disorderly behaviour. There is a small number of individuals

consuming, without causing any issues but who are very visible in prominent locations. The

Police continue to address these issues in line with the Council’s Public Space Protection

Order (PSPO) , i.e. remove opened alcohol, where there is associated anti-social behaviour.

The current PSPO is in place until August 2019 and the Council has committed to extending

this power and the other PSPOs until August 2022.

As partner organisations, we have recently met to discuss these issues and started to

explore different solutions. Some of the suggestions to be considered include:

- How we can support the development and use of DISC (Worthing Shopwatch) to

assist with gathering information and reports to support enforcement?

- How can we improve the reporting process for businesses that are concerned?

- Can we make interventions to those empty properties to minimise the wrong type of

use?

These are just some of the initial suggestions. We will work together to develop immediate

and longer term interventions to improve the situation.

It is important to note that some of the issues that have led to concerns are not

homelessness issues and as outlined above, some of the behaviours are by those that are

not homeless. Worthing, like other towns, is working hard to address the issue of

homelessness with its partners, using assertive outreach to move people into support and

into accommodation.

How you can continue to help...

Your support in helping us improve the town centre continues to be valued; it is only by

working together that we can improve things. We ask that you continue to share these key

messages to staff, customers and the wider public.

● This is a national concern and we are not the only town experiencing these

issues. However, the Council, Police, TCI, businesses and other partners are

working together to help improve the situation.

● Those sleeping rough are often very vulnerable, the majority need immediate help

and support. If you see someone sleeping rough please report through

www.streetlink.org.uk

● If appropriate, give food and drink to those people in need, not money.

● Reporting crime/anti-social behaviour, including alcohol related incidents, is

necessary - without this resources can not be directed effectively and action cannot

be taken. This can be done via 101 or online via

www.sussex.police.uk/contact-us/report-online/

● If a crime is happening and/or if anyone is at risk please call 999.

We believe we’re all working towards the same goal of making Worthing a great town to visit,

stay and spend. We would welcome your continued help in doing this.

If you feel you would like more information or want to get in touch please feel free to contact

us on the details below.

Kind regards

Contact details:

Worthing Borough Council

Email: safer-communities@adur-worthing.gov.uk

Sussex Police

Email: adurandworthing@sussex.pnn.police.uk

Worthing Town Centre Initiative

Email: info@worthingtowncentre.co.uk

Government back New Monks Farm decision

Adur District Council leader Neil Parkin has welcomed news that the application to build 600 homes and an IKEA superstore in Lancing will not be reviewed by the government.

The Council’s Planning Committee approved the proposal for New Monks Farm in October 2018 subject to it being referred to the Secretary of State for Communities.

Today (22nd May, 2019), the Council received notification from the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government it would not be called in - meaning the decision to approve the application stands.

Speaking after receiving the news, Cllr Parkin said: ”After seven months of waiting, I very much welcome this decision from the government which gives certainty to the developer while also providing a massive shot in the arm for our local economy.

“This application was one of the largest ever in Adur’s history promising an investment of more than £150 million and the creation of hundreds of homes and jobs, along with community space, in our area.”

The application from New Monks Farm Development, a subsidiary of Brighton and Hove Albion FC, is for land between Shoreham and Lancing which borders the A27 and Shoreham Airport.

Thirty per cent of the homes are affordable and 108 families from Adur's housing waiting list will get the chance to move to the new development.

Plans also include the provision of a new roundabout on the A27, a country park, land for a school and a community hub. It will also see the relocation and expansion of the Withy Patch Gypsy and Traveller site.

New Mayor of Worthing is elected

The next Mayor of Worthing is pledging to support people in our communities who can often be forgotten or unheard.

Councillor Hazel Thorpe has put on the Borough's century-old robes and chain for the first time (17th May 2019) when she was appointed to the post at Worthing Borough Council's annual meeting.

In the next 12 months, the avid gardener and theatre fan will be the town's first citizen, attending hundreds of events and supporting three local charities.

Cllr Thorpe will be supporting: Care For Veterans, The NSPCC local district and Coastal West Sussex Mind.

After putting on the mayoral robes for the first time, Cllr Thorpe will be looking forward to the mayor's inaugural dinner on June 1st.

She will be accompanied throughout the year by her husband Robin. They recently celebrated their 20th wedding anniversary.

Cllr Thorpe's Deputy Mayor will be Councillor Lionel Harman, who lives in Worthing and represents Castle ward.

She succeeds Councillor Paul Baker. In the last year, Cllr Baker raised £15,000 for his chosen local charities - Guild Care Haviland House dementia care home; Ferring Country Centre; and Love Your Hospital.

Read the Q&A below to find out more about the new mayor Hazel Thorpe:

What is your background?

My background is in engineering, I later became a teacher, and then I was asked to become a Councillor in 2000.

What are your interests away from being a Councillor?

Theatre, I really love live theatre, and I have performed in Am Dram years ago. I am very interested in anything to do with handicrafts, I knit, I used to do printing, all sorts of things like that. I love reading and most of all I really love looking after my garden.  I’ve got a husband and family and I like to spend a lot of time with them. Anything that’s active I like.

Why did you become a Councillor?

“I became a Councillor, partly because I was asked to, partly because there was an issue in my village in Tarring that needed the residents to speak out for, and I have always been one to speak up for people who need a bit of extra help.”

What are your priorities for the coming year as Mayor?

“My priorities as I enter the mayoralty is to put the town of Worthing on the map, and I intend to do it via the music and art, and to some extent the environment, but focusing on the people, because there are a lot of people behind the scenes who don’t get any recognition or who don’t seem to be valued, but I value them.”

Which charities will you be supporting as Mayor?

“I will be supporting Care For Veterans, they are celebrating 100 years’ service for families of people who’ve come back from wars rather differently, they actually cover a lot of things including rehabilitation. My second charity is the NSPCC and that’s the local district and that’s to help young people speak out against cyber bullying. My third charity is Coastal West Sussex Mind for families, because I think the families of people with mental health issues need a bit of extra help and support. I will be organising events, and we’ve got one on June 1st which is my inaugural dinner which is really the launch of my mayoralty and that will be at The Ardington.

What are your three favourite things about Worthing?

“My three favourite things about Worthing are the pier, particularly the windows that show off the amazing things that we have done, the theatres, I love going to theatres and concerts, and I also think the food here is very good too. “

Three new Partners appointed at MHA Carpenter Box

Sussex-based chartered accountants MHA Carpenter Box has appointed three new Partners to further strengthen its leadership team, including the youngest Partner to be appointed in the firm’s 95-year history.

The practice has enjoyed significant growth over recent years at its offices in Worthing and Gatwick, and the three new appointments bring the total number of Partners to 16, supported by 170 staff.

Sam Uwins joined the firm in 2009 on six weeks’ work experience and was offered a trainee role at the age of 17. He was the youngest trainee ever to qualify as a Chartered Certified Accountant at the firm at just 22 and has now been appointed Partner in the Business Services Group at only 27 – the youngest Partner ever be appointed at the firm.

Sam works within the media and entertainment sector providing tax and business advice to social influencers and online content creators. He has built the reputation of MHA Carpenter Box to market leader in this very niche sector. Sam commented: “Having trained at MHA Carpenter Box, I am delighted to become a Partner and very much look forward to helping the firm continue to grow over the coming years.”

David Crowter has been appointed Tax Partner after a career of nearly 20 years providing tax advice to clients of every size. He is a specialist in property tax and tax reliefs available to young, innovative businesses and currently oversees all of the work of the Tax Team at the Gatwick office. David also supports other fee earners at MHA Carpenter Box in resolving complex tax issues.

David said: “I feel honoured to have been made a Partner at such an exciting time in the firm’s evolution. The tax environment is increasingly fast moving and complex and the needs of our client base for our specialist services will no doubt continue to grow in the years ahead.”

Dan Hobbs joined MHA Carpenter Box in 2016 and after 17 years in the industry, has been appointed Partner in the Tax Services Group. Dan is a specialist VAT adviser, helping clients to structure their business transactions that will give them an optimal level of tax efficiency.

“I’m delighted to become a Partner at MHA Carpenter Box,” said Dan “I’ll be working hard to support the ever-growing number of VAT clients that the firm now has. They really value the level of VAT advice we provide. This in-house expertise benefits our clients and gives us a competitive edge, as, unlike us, many accountancy firms have to use external consultants to deal with non-routine VAT questions.”  

www.carpenterbox.com

Photo shows (l-r): David Crowter, Sam Uwins and Dan Hobbs.