VOTE: New seafront feature for Littlehampton

FIRST it was the East Beach Café, then the Longest Bench. Now Littlehampton is set to have a striking new seafront feature.

The winner of a competition to design The Stage by the Sea, a new performance space next to The Promenade, has been announced by Littlehampton Town Council.

And it’s clear that Littlehampton’s reputation for innovative architecture such as the bench, the café and its sister the West Beach Café, was a major factor in attracting entries from top class architecture practices and design houses.

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From the original 24 expressions of interest, six were short-listed by a special committee and now London-based architects BFLS has been revealed as the winner, in a partnership which also built a highly successful stage in the Olympic Park at Stratford.

The practice is now working with the town council on its final design, which is likely to resemble a flowing, shell-like structure.

It’s hoped to create a dual-purpose structure within the “sunken garden” between The Promenade and the Banjo Road car park.

Facing northwards, the main stage would have capacity for about 16 performers, although this could be extended up to about 50/60, and the design of the concrete shell would project the unamplified sound to an audience of up to 500 people. With sound equipment, the audience could be even bigger, although that would require taking up part of the coach park.

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As well as music, the stage could host drama performances and even be used for weddings.

Read the full story in today’s Gazette (Thursday, August 16)

What do you think?

Will The Stage by the Sea performance space be a welcome addition to Littlehampton’s seafront? Cast your vote in the poll to the right of the screen and leave your comments below.