'˜More shops, fewer drugs' would make Littlehampton better

Since publishing Arun District Council’s consultation on improvements in the town, the Gazette has received multiple comments from readers with their suggestions.

Top of the list for many was a more diverse range of shops in the town centre, with a particular wish for stores selling men’s clothing and children’s toys.

Other readers lamented the loss of Littlehampton’s indoor market and multiple messages mentioned a possible redevelopment of the Waitrose and St Martin’s sites.

Drugs and alcoholism was another key issue, with many residents calling for firmer controls on people drinking in the town centre and on the seafront.

Various entertainment facilities were suggested, ranging from a cinema to an ice-rink, but there was a broad consensus that there should be more community events with better publicity.

A new primary school was one wish that Arun District Council had already agreed to grant, but some felt the new school places available would not come soon enough.

Arun District Council posed the question of what would make Littlehampton better as part of regeneration plans for the town centre. A public consultation will run until Sunday, May 15, with an exhibition of design plans viewable from May 5 to May 7 at Hunnies Café and Lounge, 72 High Street, Littlehampton from 10am to 2pm.

In 2015, Littlehampton was one of five Sussex towns named in a major high street regeneration programme, backed by well-known UK brands Boots, Santander, Marks and Spencers and Greggs. The Business in the Community’s Healthy High Streets programme aims to increase footfall by up to 10 per cent.

Meanwhile, drugs and the sale of drugs continue to be a focus for police in the area. Police seized more than £35,000 worth of cannabis plants and cultivation equipment in Littlehampton drug raids earlier this month.

Details of the plans and feedback forms are available at www.arun.gov.uk/regeneration-in-littlehampton