Shoppers welcome restoration of historical arcade

Shoppers and businesses have welcomed the restoration of a 102-year-old clock and stained glass windows above a shopping arcade in Bognor Regis.

Contractors took down the heritage features in January and are due to reinstall them this week.

The works in the West Sussex town are part of a wider restoration of the entire arcade, including 35 flats on the upper floors and new commercial spaces on the ground floor.

"It's been here a long time, so we need to preserve it and keep it as Bognor from the old days," said Dick Dixon, who has lived in the town for 47 years.

Dixon added: "There's lots of money being spent [on developments] with the hotel and theatre."

The clock and stained glass windows are due to be reinstalled this week after being taken down in January for repair works.

Arun District Council said they were funded by Foulerton Charitable Trust, which helps support the preservation of heritage buildings. The council believe the clock has not been working for 10 years.

A spokesperson for the council said: "A key feature of the wider proposals for The Arcade is a strong focus on respecting and enhancing the historic character of the building.

"The repair and restoration of the key heritage assets form a significant part of this, and by retaining these original features the building's heritage can be preserved whilst being sensitively adapting it to meet future needs."

The council, which acquired the site in 2017, approved the plans for the arcade in January. The upper floor is currently vacant and will be turned into apartments.

Councillors previously deferred the application in October last year due to there being no affordable housing on the site.

A planning document stated that due to the challenges of working within the constraints of a historic building, affordable housing was "unlikely to be ever deliverable in this location".

There will not be any affordable housing on site as part of the £8m proposal, although the council said a £100,000 contribution had been made towards offsite provision.

Matthew Ellison, owner of The Sweet Jar, said: "The arcade needs some work, it's a bit tired looking. The flats should generate income for the town.

"The roof was restored, it's not leaking yet. When it's all done the regeneration will help, let's put Bognor back on the map."

Rosie Gundogdu, owner of Howard's Coffee Shop, said: "I don't think it will affect our cafe but it's good for tourists.

"I think the arcade needs improvement, it's too old. It needs some changes."

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