Funds to improve ‘treasured’ bandstand on Bognor Regis seafront welcomed

Funds to ‘kick-start’ a major refurbishment of Bognor Regis’ seafront bandstand have been welcomed.
ks190041-2 Bognor Bandstand Funding phot kate Arun District Council has secured funding to improve the bandstand. celebrating the news from left: Phil Hitchins, chairman of Bognor Regis regeneration sub-committee, Jim Brooks, Arun councillor, Denise Vine group head of economy and Steve Reynolds, Mayor of Bognor.ks190041-2ks190041-2 Bognor Bandstand Funding phot kate Arun District Council has secured funding to improve the bandstand. celebrating the news from left: Phil Hitchins, chairman of Bognor Regis regeneration sub-committee, Jim Brooks, Arun councillor, Denise Vine group head of economy and Steve Reynolds, Mayor of Bognor.ks190041-2
ks190041-2 Bognor Bandstand Funding phot kate Arun District Council has secured funding to improve the bandstand. celebrating the news from left: Phil Hitchins, chairman of Bognor Regis regeneration sub-committee, Jim Brooks, Arun councillor, Denise Vine group head of economy and Steve Reynolds, Mayor of Bognor.ks190041-2

A second phase of work will see the roof renovated and the existing concrete floor and brick plinth replaced with materials more in keeping with the original design.

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This phase will also see the bandstand being prepared for seating for the new café which has been proposed to the east of the structure, subject to planning consent.

Stephen Haymes, cabinet member for technical services, said: “This is great news. The funding will kick-start a major refurbishment of this treasured heritage structure.

“The bandstand’s seafront location and historic nature means this is expensive work to undertake, but this is a big first step towards seeing the bandstand completely renovated.”

Phil Hitchins, Chairman of the Bognor Regis regeneration sub-committee, added: “This funding will take us closer to bringing the bandstand back into regular public use. It will still be used as a bandstand, but also will provide seating for the new café, which will be a unique way for the public to experience this beautiful structure.

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“Funding will be applied for to complete the second phase of the renovation of the bandstand and make these plans a reality.”

At Monday’s regeneration sub-committee meeting officers made it clear the second phase of works would require a separate bid for more funding.

They described how the project would also look to provide improved lighting for the bandstand and some form of transparent windbreaker.