A MAJOR department store has committed its future to Worthing after multi-million pound town centre regeneration plans were agreed.

Beales has been a key anchor store in the town for more than 15 years with two stores across five premises in South Street.

Landlord St Clair Developments wants to refurbish the series of buildings.

Beales will move into a newly revamped 60,000 sqft store.

Seven new shops will be created in the rest of the ground floor space while 45 new flats will be provided above.

Councillor Kevin Jenkins, Worthing Borough Council’s executive member for regeneration, said: “This is a major boost for our town centre, securing a major department store for years to come while delivering new modern retail units to provide jobs to local workers.

“The creation of new properties is also to be welcomed creating much-needed housing in a popular central location.

“This supports our determination to improve and sustain the overall vitality of the centre of Worthing.

“We all know that things are tough for UK retail at the moment.

“But applications like this show there is no shortage of people looking to invest in our vibrant town.”

A council report highlighted that the proposed represents a “significant opportunity for Beales department store to be retained and refurbished whilst also making use of an under-used site in a sustainable location”.

St Clair will invest £250,000 in creating a new store for the firm which will be about half the size of its current units.

More than 5,200 sqft of new smaller retail units will be created in Montague Place plus a 6,000 sqft store in South Street.

A series of one, two and three bedroom properties will then be created above the retail space, nine of which will be affordable housing.

Tony Brown, chief executive of Beales, confirmed that the company would be signing a 15-year lease on the new store.

He said: “I can confirm that the old store and arrangements were unsustainable for the long-term future of Beales Worthing.

“Working with a responsive landlord willing to engage and agree a plan for the long-term future of the store is good for Beales, St Clair and Worthing town centre.”

Councillor Paul Yallop is chairman of Worthing Borough Council’s planning committee.

He said: “The development will significantly enhance the character of the site and to provide a high quality mixed use development.

“The committee recognises the challenges posed to the high street caused by online shopping and believes schemes such as this will help to ensure our town centre continues to thrive.”