A cold, drizzly night in November (Tuesday 9 November 2004) could do nothing to dampen the excitement generated by the birth of a brand new business partnership determined to drive Worthing’s economy forward over the next decade.
Over 50 local business people joined representatives from Worthing Borough Council and local organisations at the Berkeley Hotel to form Worthing First and pledge to play their part in delivering the Vision for the town, agreed at the recent BiG (Business in Growth) Conference.
The vision - for Worthing to be a thriving Borough where people want to live, work and invest - was launched by the Leader of Worthing Borough Council, Keith Mercer and the new Worthing First partnership will focus on regeneration and boosting the town’s economic prosperity.
The idea for the new partnership came from the successful BiG conference in October and the town’s business community has shown great support for the new group.
Worthing First will be led by local businesses and will work alongside existing organisations like Worthing Chamber of Commerce, Worthing Town Centre Initiative and the Federation of Small Businesses.
Roy Stannard, Managing Director of Splash FM and the Chairman of Worthing First, says “The history of Worthing and economic growth is not an inspiring one. Businesses can do one of two things - stand on the sidelines and moan or get involved and work with the Council to make things happen.” Roy goes onto say: “We want to harness the talents of Worthing’s entrepreneurs and work with the Council to deliver the Worthing Economic Development Strategy and the Worthing Town Centre and Seafront Masterplan. I would appeal to other local business people to join the partnership and help secure a brighter economic future for our town.”
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