Littlehampton wins £2.45million Coastal Communities boost!
The Coastal Communities Fund has confirmed that a bid by Arun District Council for £2,452,295 to enhance public space in Littlehampton town centre has been successful.
The funding will be spent on a project to transform the precinct and route to the railway station, including new high-quality paving, lighting, planting and seating areas.
The precinct will get a new layout to enable larger-scale events and markets, and the station forecourt will become a fitting gateway to the town centre.
Pedestrian routes will be improved so that the town centre feels more pedestrian-friendly and better connected.
It’s anticipated that the project, set to run from 2019 to 2021, will encourage tourism and boost the economy of the town.
Once completed, the town centre will blend in with the new East Bank public space, and iconic seafront structures like the Longest Bench and Stage by the Sea.
The bid was made by the Council on behalf of Littlehampton Coastal
Communities Team, a multi-agency partnership tackling town centre issues.
The Council delivered a similar successful public realm scheme in Bognor Regis town centre.
Denise Vine, Head of Economy at Arun District Council, said: “We are absolutely delighted to have been awarded this grant and I would like to congratulate everyone involved in helping to shape our successful bid.
“The new proposals for public realm aim to reflect Littlehampton’s maritime heritage in a subtle and contemporary way.
“The overall aim of the Coastal Communities Fund is to improve the economic fortunes of seaside towns through the creation of new jobs and new businesses and attracting more visitors. The council is confident that our project will achieve that and be a huge boost for the town.”
Seventy projects up and down the British coast have been awarded a total of over £36 million from the UK government fund to help develop and improve tourist attractions, create jobs and promote socio-economic growth.