Invest in Adur and Worthing

Adur and Worthing are strategically positioned on the south coast with seamless transport connections to London and regional markets, the area is home to established, world-class business clusters that benefit from a highly skilled local workforce, an unmatched quality of life between the South Downs and the sea, and unique local infrastructure.

This blend of future-proof infrastructure with a strategically advantageous south coast location creates a highly competitive platform for inward investment.

The councils actively champion a fairer, greener, and more local economy, unlocking spaces where cutting-edge enterprise and an unparalleled coastal lifestyle thrive side-by-side. See:

Fair, Green & Local - Our corporate strategy for Adur and Worthing (2025-2028)

Guided by our refreshed Growth Deals (2025-2030) and corporate strategy, we are unlocking employment spaces and modern infrastructure to help forward-looking sectors thrive. See:

Growth Deals

The Adur and Worthing area also features some of the fastest digital connectivity in the UK through our comprehensive CityFibre gigabit network, alongside our leadership on the pioneering Sussex Bay blue carbon initiative and the Worthing Heat Network, allowing forward-thinking companies to instantly reduce their carbon footprint.

For more information about the area and how we are working to help businesses thrive here, see:

Why Adur and Worthing - Investment USPs
Investing in Adur and Worthing - key growth sectors
Development opportunities and recent investment in Adur and Worthing

Also:

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Why invest in Adur and Worthing - Investment USPs

Our region offers a distinct investment proposition that sets us apart:

A strategic South East location:

Gateway access: Positioned directly on the South Coast, Adur and Worthing offer seamless transport links to London, Brighton, and major global trade routes.
Integrated transport links: The area features strong rail and road connectivity via the A27 and A23 corridors, a commercial port at Shoreham Harbour, and dedicated aerospace links at Shoreham Airport. This provides businesses with easy access to regional markets while bypassing the high overhead costs and traffic congestion of mature logistics hubs.

Infrastructure that sets Adur and Worthing apart:

Pioneering Gigabit Fibre Infrastructure: we led the South East by securing over £25 million in commercial investment to deploy a comprehensive CityFibre gigabit-capable network. This provides our digital, advanced engineering, and CreaTech clusters with some of the fastest data connectivity speeds in the UK, removing the data bottlenecks common in older urban centres.
The Worthing Heat Network: A landmark initiative in green infrastructure, this pioneering network provides low-carbon, sustainable heating to commercial and public buildings across the town. This allows forward-thinking companies to instantly lower their carbon footprint and satisfy strict corporate ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) targets just by moving into the area.

An unmatched lifestyle offer: Sea and South Downs:

Where the Downs meet the sea: Our unique geography places businesses right between the inspiring landscapes of the South Downs National Park and the coastline. This natural setting acts as a powerful tool for businesses looking to attract and keep top-tier talent.
See: South Downs National Park website
Active living and wellbeing: A workplace here means your team can enjoy lunchtime coastal walks, water sports, and direct access to miles of walking and cycling trails across the Downs. This lifestyle focus supports employee wellbeing and drives workplace productivity.
The Sussex Bay Initiative: Our commitment to the local environment extends into the sea. Through our regional Sussex Bay blue carbon project, we are pioneering marine restoration and kelp forest recovery, opening unique avenues for green innovation, eco-tourism, and corporate natural capital investments.
See: Sussex Bay website

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Investing in Adur and Worthing - key growth sectors

Adur and Worthing stand as a premier destination for forward-thinking business, combining strategic coastal infrastructure with high-growth industry clusters. Fuelled by advanced digital connectivity and a highly skilled workforce, our region fosters a thriving ecosystem where global pioneers and sustainable local brands scale together.

Local key growth business clusters are:

Med-Tech and Life Sciences: Worthing and the Coastal West Sussex area represent a primary hub for the medical technology and pharmaceutical industries. Backed by a history of hosting pioneering global firms like Rayner Lenses, Allergy Therapeutics and GSK, our region offers incoming businesses a highly concentrated and specialised talent pool.
Advanced Electronics and Engineering: Adur and Worthing holds a strong regional specialism in the manufacturing of electronic industrial process equipment and high-tech consumer electronics, local firms include internationally renowned - LEMO UK, Applied Kilovolts, ETI. We are also a focal point for specialist automotive engineering, anchored by the presence of global engineering and environmental consultancy Ricardo in Shoreham.
Software, Digital and CreaTech: Supported by comprehensive CityFibre gigabit broadband infrastructure, Adur and Worthing boast some of the fastest digital connectivity speeds in the UK. We are actively fostering Creative-Technical (CreaTech) industries and emerging digital sub-sectors like virtual production to drive future-proof job creation.
Green Innovation and Marine Conservation: In line with our Sussex Bay initiative and climate resilience targets, we are drawing capital into pioneering marine restoration, nature recovery, and circular economy supply chains. We prioritise investments that align with our vision for a sustainable, net-zero future.
See: Sussex Bay website
High-Value Food Production and Logistics: We are proud to serve as the operational base for premium, sustainable food brands like Higgidy Pies and Bird & Blend Tea Co. Major commercial developments around Shoreham Airport and the Western Harbour Arm continue to deliver strategic warehousing, logistics, and manufacturing spaces designed to alleviate pressure in the wider South East.

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Development and investment opportunities

Current and upcoming Adur and Worthing investment opportunities:

Buckingham Park - Adur
Brooklands Park - Worthing
Seasonal seafront concessions in Adur and Worthing
West Buildings Shelter - Worthing
Worthing Lido - Worthing
Worthing seafront investment sites such as Grafton multi-storey car park, Worthing

To register your interest or to receive a copy of a specific Expressions of Interest document contact:

eoipropertyteam@adur-worthing.gov.uk

Adur and Worthing: recent and/or current investment

A significant amount of inward investment is already unlocking regeneration in Adur and Worthing including:

Attracting external investment and funding

Adur & Worthing Councils have unlocked millions of pounds worth of external funding in recent years from sources including Growth Deal, The Arts Council, National Lottery, Homes England, the Environment Agency and DEFRA.