Support group for BRighter future

More than 70 individuals have launched the BRighter Bognor support group.

They have decided to fight back against the critics of the proposals put forward by St Modwen Properties and Arun District Council.

The group members want to see an urgent and radical revamping of Bognor.

BRighter Bognor joint founder Jean Coles (68) said: "We are fed up with negative reactions and the fact that opponents of the St Modwen proposals are claiming to represent the whole town."

A former schools' inspector, she has lived in Bognor for 15 years after first coming to the town 40 years ago as a student teacher.

She called the recent decline in the town as tragic and a trend which had to be reversed.

"Why do so many residents avoid the town?," she asked. "Why do people flock to Chichester in the evenings and weekends?

"Why do people from Felpham drive past Bognor to shop in Chichester? The answer is plain '“ to find quality.

"Recently, I counted 15 empty shops and ten charity shops in a small area of the town centre.

"We will get better quality shops only if Bognor can attract a more wealthy working and resident population and persuade those living in and around the town centre to come and spend here.

"The St Modwen proposals aren't perfect but they are exciting and a golden opportunity. The company also has an excellent track record transforming run-down areas."

BRighter Bognor was formed after the St Modwen exhibition in the town in late January with its latest 100m-plus proposals for the Hothamton and the Regis Centre sites.

It soon became an e-mail network and has become established as a forward-looking group.

Members include accountants, architects, dentists, doctors, pharmacists, teachers and social workers.

They encompass a wide range of interests, political backgrounds and ages. They can be joined by contacting [email protected] or 01243 820496.

An early recruit to the group, local businesswoman Sarah Dale said she failed to understand the chamber of commerce's opposition to the regeneration proposals.

"Bognor's businesses can only benefit from the massive injection of cash promised by the St Modwen/Arun scheme.

"Some businesses will need to adapt to change at first but a huge improvement in the customer base would benefit us all in the long term," she stated.

Accountant John Edwards has moved to the seafront after 15 years in Bognor.

He said: "I can't understand why people want to keep The Esplanade open. People simply drive along it bypassing the town centre.

"Most of the way along The Esplanade it is not possible to actually see the beach or sea and the traffic stops easy access between the town and beach."

Re-routing the vehicles would reduce noise and air pollution for everyone's benefit. It would also force the authorities to sort out traffic around Bognor, he added.