Help for people wanting to start new businesses could be on its way to Shoreham.

A project called Enterprise Gateway may give support, space and encouragement to new firms.

Two public hearings were organised by one of Adur District Council's development and scrutiny committees to consider how the Ropetackle community building is to be used.

The space available for community use is now 1500sqm, an increase of 500sqm.

Local councillors, the shadow Ropetackle Trust, the South East England Development Agency, arts bodies, the current Enterprise Centre and council officers all contributed to the meetings.

The majority of those attending agreed the community would benefit from the addition of an Enterprise Gateway.

The benefits could include an increase in business management skills within the community, reduced levels of business start-up failure and support for new employment opportunities.

Recommendations will be made endorsing the project to the council's executive policy board on February 4.

The decision will be made by full council on February 18.

Angie Mills, the council's development chairwoman, said: "I am very pleased with the way the scrutiny process has worked and hope everyone who took part feels they had a chance to express themselves.

"We have made this recommendation after careful consideration of all the information available and feel the community as a whole will benefit."