Bognor Regis chamber of commerce says town needs to welcome tourists

Chamber vice-chairman Ian Harding said the town had to continue to provide visitors with a warm welcome to match the conditions.

The Easter weekend saw the first bank holidays since the visitor information centre was earmarked for closure by Arun District Council on August 31.

Mr Harding said the decision by Arun District Council to close the centre on Place St Maur was a step too far.

“Tourism is our largest employer with a workforce of 6,000 and underpins our economy, our retail sector, restaurants and public houses,” he said.

Mr Harding said Butlin’s was a prime example of how investment in tourism helped companies to stay competitive.

“However, Butlin’s has the strength to stand on its own, whereas other smaller areas of the tourism industry rely on the district council to play its part,” he said.

“In recent years, there was considerable and encouraging lengthy consultation with all those connected to tourism through the tourism forum but this has now disappeared.

“We look forward to the day we can congratulate Arun for positive action, instead of words, so that our vital tourism industry and all those associated with it, can play their part in the long-promised regeneration of Bognor.”