Worthing Borough Council to launch new search for a developer for the Grafton site

Released: Wednesday, 09 July 2025

We are relaunching our search for a developer to help transform the seafront Grafton site for the benefit of the whole community.

A number of companies submitted proposals to redevelop the site after we began asking for expressions of interest from potential bidders last year.

They were still being considered when a sudden deterioration in the condition of the multi-storey car park in May meant we had to close it immediately to keep the public safe.

Last night our Joint Strategic Committee agreed to relaunch the search for a developer because of the change in the building's condition since the original bids were made.

The government's announcement in its summer spending review of £39 billion to support the construction of affordable homes across the country is another factor that could affect the design of any redevelopment of the site.

The site includes the 440-space multi-storey car park, Hollywood Bowl bowling alley, the Level 1 food and drink area, a small number of shops in Montague Street and access roads to neighbouring buildings, covering roughly the area of a football pitch. We have also bought the leases to the shops from Clarks to Argos on the southern side of Montague Street to make it easier to develop the whole area.

In recent weeks our officers have contacted each of the original bidders to explain the situation and encourage them to submit fresh proposals for the site.

A new marketing exercise is to begin before the end of July 2025. Bids received will then be explored and evaluated before a preferred option is selected.

We hope to be in a position to be able to select a developer for the project in Spring 2026.

In the meantime, We have brought in expert structural engineering firm HOP Consulting to do an analysis of Grafton to determine what could be done to make the car park safe to reopen to the public until the site can be developed. Among the considerations will be how much such a project would cost and how long it would take to complete - as well as how much additional disruption would be caused in the area.

Officers are continuing to meet with local businesses and residents to discuss what can be done to help them while the car park is closed. They are also looking for ways to provide closer replacement parking spaces for Knightsbridge House residents with accessibility issues.

Although Grafton is closed to the public, Hollywood Bowl, Level One and nearby shops remain open and safe to visit.

To read the full report see:

Closure of Grafton Multi-Storey Car Park, Next Steps - report to Joint Strategic Committee 8th July 2025 (PDF)