A COUNCIL has given residents a first glimpse of a major scheme to give a town’s shopping precinct a facelift.

Adur District Council has drawn up plans to revitalise Southwick Square which it said is “showing its age”.

It wants to make the area more accessible, environmentally friendly and create more space for performances, markets and for people to sit and eat.

The proposal includes new pedestrian lighting, seating and gardens, a space for the community Christmas tree, while the existing pine trees will remain, and drought-resistant species will be added to improve air quality and increase biodiversity in the green areas.

The Argus: Before and after Southwick Square, looking westBefore and after Southwick Square, looking west (Image: Adur District Council)

A council spokesman said the aim is to make the area one where people will be happy to sit and spend time, rather than simply walking through to get to and from the shops.

Residents and businesses are now being asked what they think about the plans to revamp the square.

Councillor Angus Dunn, deputy leader of the council, said the council wants to give the square the “facelift it deserves” and make it a place people want to stop and spend time in.

“Southwick has a very popular town centre but Southwick Square could do with extra space for events like markets,” he said.

“We want to give the area the facelift it deserves so that even more people want to come here to shop or stop for a coffee.”

The Argus: Before and after Southwick Square, looking north eastBefore and after Southwick Square, looking north east (Image: Adur District Council)

The scheme will be funded by the district council and West Sussex County Council.

It has been designed by a local team while and the council also hopes to employ local contractors to carry out the work.

The Argus: Southwick SquareSouthwick Square (Image: Adur District Council)

Council officers and councillors will be in Southwick Square between 10am and midday today, Saturday, to answer any questions that people have about the plans.

More details of the proposals are available at www.adur-worthing.gov.uk/southwick-square-consultation/

The consultation is running until Sunday, October 30, and anyone with comments can email them to economyteam@adur-worthing-gov.uk.