Artists and traders team up to brighten Worthing shopping experience
Released: Tuesday, 10 February 2026
Businesses and artists are teaming up to encourage more shoppers to visit Worthing town centre this spring.
The new initiative, titled Dwell, is being organised by us with a number of the borough's key business and creative groups, and will see dozens of artists display their work prominently in town centre shops and businesses to attract visitors to pop in and browse.
Historically, traders experience a quieter February and March than other times of the year because of the post-sales hangover combined with colder, wetter weather that makes going shopping seem less appealing. The initiative is named after its aim - to get people to dwell, or spend more time, in the shopping district.
Discussions between businesses and us sparked the idea for Dwell after the success of a similar approach in Margate, Kent. The project is backed by Colonnade House, East Beach Studios, Between the Blue & Green Film Festival, Worthing Small Traders and Worthing BID.
The event will run from Friday 27th February to Sunday 15th March 2026 and will involve 20 businesses acting as hosts for more than 30 local artists, displaying paintings, sculptures and other artwork. On Saturday March 7th there will also be local DJs performing in the Vinyl Audio Café.
The aim is to celebrate local artists and show off their work while creating a vibrant, fun experience for those coming to the town centre. If the initiative is successful, it could grow to become an annual arts collaboration for the town.
Councillor Sophie Cox, the leader of Worthing Borough Council, said:
“We have some amazing independent shops and businesses in the town centre but they always experience a quiet time during this season.
“By working with them and with our wonderful creative sector we can celebrate together with the community what's great about Worthing.”
Paul O'Brien, who owns the I Love Candy sweetshop and is a member of Worthing Small Traders, said:
“It's great to have a brand new event in the off-season to bring new footfall to our town centre businesses.
“We're excited to see the art displayed in participating town centre shops, bars, cafés and other unusual places and we hope Dwell will not only help new people find new artists but also new businesses around the town."
Stacey Williams, an independent artist from Worthing, said:
“Dwell is such a great idea. As a local artist I'm very excited to exhibit locally and outside of the traditional gallery space. Worthing has an exciting creative and small business community that this project is highlighting.”
To see the full list of who is taking part, see:
We're investing in Worthing's seafront and the town centre to protect its heritage and make the area more attractive for residents and visitors.
Last month we announced that our engineers were working with structural experts on a plan for a permanent repair to the damaged section of Worthing Pier in 2026.
We're working closely with Historic England - the national body tasked with protecting our heritage - to agree on an affordable solution for the lido's foundations.
Work has also begun with the Environment Agency on a vital coastal defence programme to protect homes and businesses along the seafront and in the town centre for the next decade.
(PR26-017)
Page last updated: 17 February 2026