Let's regenerate Bognor, says former town mayor

GET behind the work to regenerate Bognor Regis Pier, residents have been urged.

Former town mayor Jeanette Warr asked all those who were interested in the town’s future to support the bid to obtain lottery funding to restore and enhance the historic landmark.

She said at last Friday’s meeting of Bognor Regis Civic Society: “If we can regenerate the pier, that will regenerate our town.

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“If we can get money from the Heritage Lottery Fund and then, as a town really work hard together to raise funds, we can make that happen.

“We don’t need St Modwen. We don’t need their regeneration. We can do it ourselves.”

As reported last week, the town council has unanimously agreed to submit an expression of interest to the Heritage Lottery Fund’s Heritage Enterprise scheme for up to £5m in a combined bid for the pier and the Picturedrome.

The town council also at the same meeting, as reported, agreed to spend cash on opening the seafront ramp. It aims to get it back in action, using former operator Darrell Hardy, by the end of this month. It was closed by Arun District Council because no-one came forward to run the facility on its terms.

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“I feel we have been a town in waiting for eight years since we first head of St Modwen’s plans,” said Cllr Mrs Warr.

“I feel quite sure we can do very well without their flats and without their cinema and that, as a town, we can run our own seafront.

“We can enhance that because that will attract more visitors. People will come to enjoy themselves and spend money here.”

The plans by St Modwen and Arun feature a 4/5 screen cinema, cafes and bars, an hotel and flats on the seafront and flats on the Hothamton car park.

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