Planning application for The Arcade officially validated
Arun District Council has officially validated the planning application for The Arcade, a landmark project within the wider Regis Rejuvenation programme.
This milestone marks a major step forward in efforts to enhance and revitalise Bognor Regis town centre. The proposals aim to safeguard the long-term future of one of the town's most recognisable historic buildings, while introducing new energy and opportunities at its heart.
Key highlights of the proposals include:
- 35 much-needed, high-quality residential apartments on the upper floors to bring new life into the town centre and help meet local housing need
- a dedicated restoration of the original Edwardian turrets on the High Street entrance, honouring the building's heritage, alongside full restoration of the building envelope (including roof, walls, floors and windows) across the upper floors
- a redeveloped and modernised Belmont Street entrance, creating a more welcoming gateway to the shopping centre. This includes improvements to the two existing retail units in that area
- a new retail unit proposed on Belmont Street, adjacent to the new entrance, to strengthen the commercial offer and increase footfall
- targeted building improvements to help future-proof the shopping centre and better support existing and future traders
- a design approach focused on boosting town centre vibrancy, supporting economic activity, and creating a more attractive and active environment
While the current application focuses on the upper floors and key access areas, feasibility work is ongoing to explore opportunities (subject to funding) for restoration and improvement of ground floor areas-including front and back of house spaces and original features.
The application is now live on Arun District Council's planning portal, with a target determination date of 1 September 2025.
Cllr Roger Nash, Chair of the Economy Committee, said:
This is a significant step for the future of The Arcade and Bognor Regis town centre more widely. These plans respond directly to local priorities-preserving the best of our heritage while creating spaces that are vibrant, welcoming and economically active. We're looking forward to the next stage in bringing this to life.
The Arcade proposals complement ongoing investment at nearby sites including the Alexandra Theatre, all under the umbrella of the Regis Rejuvenation programme-a coordinated effort to revitalise key town centre assets for the benefit of residents, businesses and visitors.
Further updates will be provided as the application progresses.