Grafton car park in Worthing closed with immediate effect
Released: Friday, 16 May 2025
We have closed our seafront Grafton multi-storey car park to carry out urgent investigations into its condition.
The car park, off Marine Parade, is more than 60 years old and has required heavy investment in repairs and maintenance in recent years to keep it open and safe.
We carry out full structural surveys of the car park every six months so that we can monitor the effect of the elements on its frame. More frequent visual inspections are also done, as well as strength checks on small areas.
Unfortunately the age of the building combined with its location means some of the concrete inside the car park is failing. Recent inspections have revealed that some sections of concrete are in a poorer condition than expected. For that reason, we need to carry out urgent investigation work and review the findings to determine how best to ensure that Grafton is safe to use.
Public safety is our priority so we have immediately closed the whole car park to prevent there being any potential risk to people using it, following advice from independent consulting structural engineers.
The closure does not affect Hollywood Bowl bowling alley, Level 1 or any of the other nearby shops or flats. There is no danger to the main structure of the car park.
While the car park is being examined, we are progressing with our work to find a partner to redevelop the site to breathe new life into the Montague Street shopping area and the seafront. We've already received a number of significant bids.
The closure of Grafton will not mean an immediate shortfall of parking spaces in Worthing town centre. There are still well over 1,000 parking spaces across the area, in particular at the Buckingham Road, Civic Quarter and High Street multi-storey car parks. For details of car parks please see:
Nevertheless, as the closure is unexpected we are speaking to partners about ways to help shoppers and visitors to get into the town centre more easily. We have also identified alternative parking spaces for the residents of Knightsbridge House while a long-term solution is agreed.
Our staff are also discussing the situation with town centre businesses and organising a series of meetings to listen to their concerns and provide advice and information.
Photos: Grafton multi-storey car park
(PR25-032)
Page last updated: 16 May 2025