Council hopeful of Littlehampton tourist boom

The project will raise the level of the promenade, improving views over the river, and will include improved lighting, tree planting and seating areas.

Philippa Dart, assistant director of environmental services, speaking on behalf of Arun District Council, said: “We hope that these improvements will attract more visitors and tourists to the area and provide a more enjoyable experience for local residents. It brings to fruition Arun’s long held aspiration of having a high quality, uninterrupted pedestrian link between the town centre and the sea front.”

Cllr Paul Dendle added: “It is a great opportunity to develop tourism. It gives us a chance to introduce al fresco dining along the lines of Northern European towns in Holland and Belgium, which people from London will want to take advantage of.”

While an increase in tourism would be positive for the town, MP for Littlehampton and Bognor Regis, Nick Gibb, reiterated the primary reason behind the development.

He said: “This is an important scheme to ensure Littlehampton is fully protected from both the sea and the river and given the problems the town has had in recent years with flooding the investment is very welcome indeed. This should give the town confidence and full protection from the ravages of nature.