Call for a new Bognor Regis venue to host singers like David Bowie

WE DESERVE a Bognor Regis venue capable of hosting the likes of David Bowie and Elton John again, a town councillor has stated.

Cllr Jan Cosgrove said Bowie’s death this week had prompted social media memories of the singer’s appearance in Bognor 50 years ago at the former Shoreline Club.

He met Elton John there during one gig and Tom Jones topped the bill the following week. Also appearing there around that time was the Jimi Hendrix Experience.

“There is nothing in the town these days where we could have anything like that,” Cllr Cosgrove (L, Orchard) said at Monday’s meeting of Bognor Regis Town Council. “But it happened in Bognor in 1966.

“That level of venue is what we need now. But we have a dog’s breakfast of proposals from Arun District Council. There is no vision or strategy to regenerate the town.

“I’m absolutely aghast at the flats they have proposed for the Hothamton car park.”

The Queensway site should instead be used for a venue like the one proposed in the Sir Richard Hotham Project proposals.