As Cabinet Member for Leisure and Amenities one of my key responsibilities is Tourism, 30 years ago I started Avro Plc which was fore runner to the non frills carriers, we sold cheap seats to the masses sending people abroad on cheap flight only deals, one of our biggest sellers was Alicante and we had 20 aircraft at Alicante airport on some nights.
Littlehampton Flood works & Pier Road works. |
So it is interesting to see the renaissance of our coastal towns and a return to young families to a traditional seaside holiday, young parents want to give their children a traditional holiday, but also want to see quality and value for money,
That's why I feel it's so important to regenerate Littlehampton and Bognor Regis, Butlins have built four new hotels on their Bognor site which are attracting a more upmarket clientele and the new public realms works in London road with new pavements, trees and cafe type atmosphere are helping to change the image of Bognor Regis.(This was delivered despite fierce negative opposition from Bognor Regis Civic Society and certain UKIP & Lib Dem County Councillors )
Littlehampton is having £13M+ spent on new flood defences, part of that project will be an area beside the river in Pier road which will be for alfresco dining, so you will be able to eat fish and chips overlooking the river and have a glass of cold white wine at the same time.
Surly this is the way to change the perception of our towns, we have the most successful richest city in the world only 60 miles away and there are plenty of people who will come and spend money in our towns if they provide what they want.
Bognor Regis London Road Paving & trees are new. |
London Road as a work in progress. |