Keeping Worthing moving

“We’re making changes to help keep Worthing accessible and vibrant this summer — even while essential works are underway”, a spokesperson for Hemiko said.

Following the unexpected closure of Grafton Multi-Storey Car Park for health and safety reasons and feedback from local businesses, Hemiko has adjusted its construction schedule to minimise disruption.

Originally, their planned works meant High Street Multi-Storey Car Park would be closed for two full weeks, including two weekends. Thanks to a joint effort between Worthing Borough Council and Hemiko, the works have been re-sequenced. This will allow High Street Multi-Storey Car Park to remain open on weekends, ensuring easier access to the town centre on the busiest shopping days and over Pride weekend.

Instead, the High Street Multi-Storey car park will be closed in three short stints on weekdays only, totalling 11 days over 3 months. This is a reduction in closure time compared to previous plans.

The first closure will take place from Monday 23 June to Friday 27 June.

This decision has been informed by transaction data about how High Street Multi-Storey Car Park is used, which showed that usage of the car park was expected to be significantly lower on the selected weekdays rather than proposed weekends.

Free parking continues to be available at the High Street Multi Storey Car Park near the Guildbourne Centre on the first and last Sunday of each month until the end of July. The free parking dates were selected in conversation with local stakeholders.

A spokesperson for Hemiko said “We’ve taken the feedback we’ve received on board and are developing alternative plans to ensure we provide the best possible service for Worthing in the weeks ahead. Today’s announcement is part of our new ‘Keeping Worthing Moving’ campaign. We will release further information as soon as we can.”

The temporary and short-term closure of the High Street Multi-Storey Car Park is necessary to allow the infrastructure for the energy centre to be installed, including lifting some kit onto the roof.

The energy centre at the High Street Multi-Storey Car Park will supply buildings in Worthing with low carbon heating, helping the town meet its net zero objectives and protect the planet for future generations. This energy centre will be able to supply not just the initial buildings that join the heat network, but all the buildings on and near the network route.

“It is important that we build this infrastructure now, so that it is there ready for local businesses and homes when they need to make the switch to low carbon heating. Heat networks are the cheapest and easiest way to decarbonise buildings. They prevent the need for air source heat pumps to be placed on the outside of local buildings, helping to protect the character of the town,” a spokesperson for Hemiko said.

The first phase of the heat network is expected to save 3,000 tonnes CO2e a year, the equivalent to taking 2,000 cars off the road. When the energy centre is at full use, this will rise. The energy centre will also contribute to a significant reduction in local air pollution, by removing gas boilers from buildings.

High Street Multi-Storey Car Park – Key Dates
• Mon 23 June – Fri 27 June: Closed to cars
• Sat 28 June – Mon 14 July: Open as usual, including over Pride weekend
• Tues 15 July – Thurs 17 July: Closed to cars
• Fri 18 July – Sun 17 August: Open as usual
• Monday 18 August – Wednesday 20 August: Closed to cars
• Thursday 21 August onwards: Open as usual

A new map showing parking availability in Worthing
During the temporary closures of the High Street Multi Storey Car Park, there will still be over 1,000 alternative car parking spaces available in Worthing town centre on a first come first served basis, in addition to on street parking.