Cllr Francis Hobbs: The future of Midhurst
Midhurst and its surrounding area represent, for me, the very heart of quintessential England. It is a landscape of rolling hills and ancient hamlets; William Blake is supposed to have written Jerusalem sitting on a prominent hill a few miles to the south near Chichester.
Strategically, we are at a vital crossroads connecting the A272’s path across the county and, north south, to the coastal draws of Selsey and the beaches at the Witterings.
Today, we are proud to host headquarters of the South Downs National Park (SDNP) and, perfectly positioned close to Goodwood; the racecourse, the Festival of Speed, Revival and, more recently, Goodwoof. It is half an hour’s drive to Chichester Festival Theatre, and the world-renowned Pallant House Gallery, and less to visit the Weald and Downland open air museum, the ‘home’ of the BBC Repair Shop, and West Dean College. On a special long past visit I’m surprised at how many have stayed in The Spread Eagle Hotel, which could have been part of the set for the film Four Weddings and a Funeral. In short, there is something for everyone and anyone.
Yet, despite these riches, there is an inescapable feeling that Midhurst is currently a "bit down on itself." The impact of the Angel fire 3 years ago has been significant, leaving a lingering impression of a town still struggling to find its contemporary feet.
But what does success look like?
I believe success lies in turning Midhurst into a destination of excellence in its own right. We have all the ingredients; we just need the recipe. Our diverse mix of restaurants and eating places include a diverse mix of Italian, Indian, and Chinese cuisine. There is a pub with appropriate character for all social groups. We still have the eponymous Midhurst Barber who can tell you anything about what’s happened here in the last 50 years; book well in advance! We have charity shops, antiques, a very well regarded clock shop, and many other local businesses which provide both function and local character. You can find multiple cafes to meet every taste.
Add to all this and you can’t ignore the Cowdray Estate, with its polo and increasing array of visitor type attractions. The maize maze is now an annual summer draw. And then add Madhurst, the community building annual programme of events in August.
However, we need to bridge the gaps between these isolated highlights. My vision is for a town where visitors come for a reason: to use Midhurst as a hub. By completing the long desired cycle paths between our key towns, and crucially opening the old railway tunnel at Cocking, it would open up easy access to Chichester. Why then would you not stay in Midhurst and hire bikes to explore in any direction? You would naturally dine locally, but would you want a little more to add to your visit. Something that binds it all together? Something that makes you feel part of the place, with an automatic desire to tell others and return?
One example of this is the Midhurst Jazz, Food and Blues Festival, which ran for the first time last November. The organiser has a far wider ambition for the town, tapping into something that naturally brings people together; music, shared culture and history. His vision is for a permanent, year-round programme that would give Midhurst the same "cultural gravity" as the Hay Book Festival or the Edinburgh Fringe. I fully support this.
Ultimately, we need a shift in culture. We need to become a place where every resident and business is an advocate for the next—where hospitality isn't just a service, but a standard of excellence that makes a visitor remember their stay forever.
In addition to the Jazz festival organiser I am looking for two or three key entrepreneurial individuals who want to grab the bull by the horns and share this vision. This would be a non party political collective who would work in a coordinated way with local authorities to achieve specific outcomes. Coming from a ‘Free Market’ position I believe local business people should take the lead to grow our local economy.
If I were to invest in the future of any town in the South Downs, it would be Midhurst. The metaphorical "share price" may appear low right now, but that is exactly the time to invest. Regardless of the situation with the Angel, we can use our time wisely now, put in more business foundations and prepare for take off.
Are you with me? If you have ideas, thoughts, or the drive to help make Midhurst a world-class destination, I want to hear from you. I will support anyone who wants to help.
Any comments welcome at francishobbs.co.uk.