A prime town centre site in Worthing is finally being redeveloped after months of legal battles.

The former Landmark furniture shop in Chapel Road, which has been the focal point of numerous court hearings, council meetings and demonstrations, is being refitted.

The SFI Group had wanted to open a £1 million Bar Med pub at the site but its licensing application was met with stern resistance from town centre residents who were already angered by numerous pubs opening in close proximity, including Cafe Central, Toad At The Press House, The Assembly, Wetherspoon's and Yates's.

The site was boarded up and closed for two years, despite being located on one of Worthing's main shopping streets.

But now, the plans for a bar have been scrapped, alongside those for a pool and snooker hall on the top two floors of the three-storey building.

Builders are preparing the property to become a Chinese restaurant, a sportswear store and a charity shop for the British Heart Foundation.

Builder Bill Davidson, contracted to refit the site, said: "The carcass of the shops should be completed in six weeks. The structure will remain the same because we have to keep the building looking as it is."

Meanwhile, a seafront bar which was shut down when drinkers clashed with police after a World Cup match is to reopen as a cafe.

Checkers, near the Pavilion Theatre in Marine Parade, Worthing, has been empty since landlord Bill Baker was banned from selling alcohol in the venue in September.

Sussex Police licensing officer Mike Webb said Brian Chapman, owner of JB's Bar in New Street, had taken over the lease and would be running a "food-oriented operation".

He added: "He will be doing work on the premises and will be opening in the not too distant future."

Worthing police applied successfully to have The Checkers' licence revoked by magistrates last September.

Mr Baker's licence remained valid during a long appeals process, contested by the police.

But the business shut and Mr Chapman got the licence transferred to his name in May. Police action stopped at that point.

Mr Webb added: "Mr Baker has gone, as far as I am concerned."

Timothy Townsend, of Dorset-based property agent Hamilton Townsend, confirmed that he had taken possession of the building on behalf of Clear View Hotels, which has owned it for a number of years.

He would not comment on what was to become of the building, except to say: "We are speaking to various parties at the moment."

Officers had been concerned about a series of cases of alleged mismanagement in the run-up to England's match against Sweden 12 months ago.

Riot police were called when trouble flared after the game. Worthing seafront was cordoned off as police were confronted by drunken fans.

A girl sustained cuts to her throat when violence erupted in the bar and drinkers smashed glass and bottles on to the road outside.

Both Mr Baker and Mr Chapman were today unavailable for comment.