Chamber of Commerce to close

The chamber had suffered a loss of members following the opening of the Tesco superstore, at Holmbush, Shoreham, the Sainsbury's store, in Portslade, and the Lyons Farm retail park in Worthing.

Chamber secretary Beryl Ferrers-Guy said: "Almost overnight, a great many of our members found they just could not compete with the superstore giants.

"Competition was horrendous. Not only were these giants selling their products cheaper than our members were actually paying for them themselves, but, also, the free bus services rubbed salt into the wounds, so to speak."

Mrs Ferrers-Guy added the chamber had fought on, as had local traders, but said Adur District Council's decision to cut free parking to 20 minutes '“ and then remove it altogether '“ had been critical.

She said: "There is now no free parking, which, coupled with the recent expansion which is now taking place at the Holmbush Centre, has proved to be the death knell for many struggling businesses."

Mrs Ferrers-Guy said she was greatly saddened to see the demise of the chamber, but would continue to be involved with local businesses in Southwick Square, which has its own traders' association.