£3.5 million has been secured to transform Littlehampton town centre into a more attractive and vibrant place to visit, shop and enjoy. Work started in early 2022 and is part of long-term strategic plans to regenerate the heart of Littlehampton. The town centre boasts a mixture of independent, national and family run businesses and public realm improvements aim to breathe new life into the shopping area and encourage external investment.
Funding has come from the Government’s Coastal Communities Fund (£2.45m), Coast to Capital Local Enterprise Partnership Local Growth Fund (£564,000), and £200,000 from both Arun District Council and Littlehampton Town Council. The works are part of an overall £6 million regeneration plan to transform Littlehampton’s town centre. Arun District Council plans to apply for further external funding to complete the overall scheme, including the approach to the town from the railway station.
This phased scheme intends to:
provide a warmer welcome to the town centre with improved signage;
improve links from Littlehampton Railway Station into the town centre to make arriving in the town by train a more welcoming experience;
update road layouts and traffic flow to give pedestrians priority (to improve safety) and maximise public open spaces;
create an attractive, clean and vibrant feel with a co-ordinated look for the town centre by resurfacing existing pavements, roads and pedestrianised areas with high quality materials, replace existing benches, seating, plant trees, installing public art, new signage and street furniture to open sight lines and make the town centre a more pleasant place spend time;
highlight Littlehampton’s architectural features and provide attractive new seating and greenery to create safe, welcoming spaces for people to sit and enjoy the lively atmosphere;
make it easier for shoppers and visitors to navigate their way around the town centre on foot including people with disabilities and families with young children;
improve links between the town centre, riverside and seafront.