Grafton Multi Storey Car Park to Remain Closed

Worthing Borough council have announced that Grafton multi-storey car park will not reopen in its current form before the site is redeveloped, with the focus instead being on transforming the site into a valuable regeneration project for the seafront and town centre.

They say bringing the ageing building back into use would cost taxpayers at least £17.1m and cause lengthy disruption. Instead officers will prioritise finding a developer who is keen to take on and transform the site for the benefit of the whole community, in line with Worthing’s Local Plan and the site’s key location on the town’s seafront.

Hollywood Bowl bowling alley, the Level 1 food and drink area and a small number of shops in Montague Street that also form part of the site will remain open to the public while the site comes forward for redevelopment.

The Council say there has been strong interest in the site from a number of potential buyers. Expressions of interest are expected to be submitted before the 10th October deadline the council has set for developers to come forward.

The council could then be in a position to be able to select a developer for the project in Spring 2026.

Worthing Borough Council closed Grafton in May to carry out urgent investigation work because of concerns that its condition had visibly deteriorated suddenly.

It’s estimated that even the most basic set of repairs and renovation required to make the structure safe to use would cost £17.1m at least. This does not include any work to the building’s lifts or drainage, which would also be needed. It also does not include the additional cost to the council of borrowing the money required to fund the work, nor any planning or legal costs.

The Council say that any project to refurbish the car park would take at least 18 months to complete, by which time it is hoped the redevelopment of the site will have advanced significantly.

They say the level of borrowing required to fund the work would have likely led to the council having to significantly increase fees, charges and council tax for many years, as well as potentially having to reduce other services to balance the books.

Cllr Sophie Cox, the leader of Worthing Borough Council, said: “It’s clear to us that the right thing to do is to focus on the regeneration of the site rather than spending taxpayers’ money on a short-term fix. The Grafton car park has served Worthing well for more than 60 years but it’s now time for it to make way for a new, exciting project to reinvigorate the heart of the town centre for everyone who lives, works and visits here.”

Although the car park is closed to the public, Hollywood Bowl, Level 1 and nearby shops remain open and safe to visit.