Market among schemes to breathe new life into shopping centre

BUSINESSES in Worthing's Guild-bourne Centre have formed a new association to try to regenerate trade. New ideas from the Guildbourne Trader's Association include having a market in the centre one day a week, as well as charity days.

By The Newsroom

Published 21st Oct 2008, 16:43 BST

Updated 8th Jun 2018, 03:25 BST

On Sunday's throughout November there will be indoor boot sales in aid of Chestnut Tree House children's hospice. These will be held on November 2, 9, 16 and 23.

Tom Carman, whose wife Pat runs flower shop Secret Garden, said NCP had 'destroyed' trade in the centre through high parking charges and the Guildbourne did not receive any promotion from the Worthing Town Centre Initiative.

Traders had formed the association to combat the problem in the hope of increasing both footfall and profits.

Mr Carman said with the exception of Wilkinson's, traders were averaging 40 per cent less profit per week and footfall was down by 60 per cent.

He said the Secret Garden had seven members of staff two weeks ago and had just laid off five of them. The shop was 2,500 a week down.

"It's been a gradual deterioration since April this year."

Mr Carman cited high parking fees, adding that if NCP lowered prices footfall would be increased.