Bognor Regis Regeneration Board
PRESS RELEASE
Regeneration Board Welcomes Creative Digital Hub Go Ahead for Bognor Regis
Bognor Regis Regeneration Board has welcomed the news that West Sussex County Council’s planned creative digital hub for the town centre has taken a step forward.
The County Council has kept the Board updated of progress on its plans for the hub over the last two years, ensuring that representations from the Board and other businesses from the creative digital sector have been taken on board as the proposals develop.
The hub will create high value jobs in the creative digital sector by providing a shared workspace for businesses. The aim is for a place where start-ups and freelancers can work side by side, share facilities and network and have access to training and support.
David Myers, Advisor to the Board said ‘ West Sussex County Council, Arun District Council and the University of Chichester all share the vision of job creation and business growth for Bognor Regis and have brought their expertise and resources together to ensure that the Digital Hub will be an important catalyst for the Bognor Regis creative economy.’
David continued ‘Arun District Council identified the opportunity of using vacant space at the railway station for the hub,meeting the WSCC requirements for a central location contributing to the regeneration of the town. WSCC have now taken the decision to enter into lease negotiations for the railway station site and to commence procurement for an operator for the hub.’
Leader of West Sussex County Council Louise Goldsmith said: “Boosting the West Sussex economy is one of our three priority areas as a County Council. I’m delighted that the County Council’s vision for a creative digital hub in the centre of Bognor Regis is one step closer. Thank you to everyone who has taken part in our engagement process and helped shape our plans for the hub.
“This project will achieve a range of economic benefits for Bognor Regis and the surrounding area such as job creation, business growth and the establishment of the town as a centre of the creative digital sector, as well as skills development for young people and graduate retention linked to the University of Chichester’s new digital campus in the town.”
Cllr Gillian Brown Leader of Arun District Council: ‘This is an important collaborative project and links in with the investment from the University of Chichester’s Engineering and Digital Technology Park in Bognor Regis. The hub will provide an important resource to assist in retaining graduates in the local area and we look forward to its opening during 2017.’
Editors notes:
Contact: David Myers
Tel: 01243 266710
Mobile: 07771 904044
David Myers is Advisor to the Bognor Regis Regeneration Board
The Bognor Regis Regeneration Board was established in 2007. It brings together leading representatives from the key public, private and community stakeholders in Bognor Regis. The Board came together recognising a collective and cohesive approach would generate and secure the economic benefits sought by those who live and work in the Town. The Board is not a part of, or a subsidiary body of any organisation or agency.