Fire safety issues at Columbia House in Worthing resolved

Fire safety breaches at a high-rise residential building in Worthing have now been fully resolved, according to fire authorities.

Columbia House, a seven-storey former office building in Romany Road, had previously been found to have serious safety failings after residents moved in before key escape routes were certified as compliant.

The issues dated back to 2022 during the building’s conversion into flats, when around 30 residents were allowed to occupy the property before corridors, stairways and escape routes had been formally signed off.

Anthony Coates, director of two companies involved in the building’s purchase and renovation, was later prosecuted by West Sussex Fire and Rescue Service and received a six-month prison sentence suspended for 12 months after pleading guilty to five charges.

Fire safety officers have since confirmed that all concerns have been addressed following a subsequent inspection. In correspondence dated November 12, 2025, officers stated that the fire risk assessment, safety measures and maintenance procedures now meet the requirements of the Regulatory Reform Fire Safety Order 2005, with conditions described as satisfactory.