My name is Chris Dixon and I am fifth generation Worthing. My forefathers are buried at Worthing Cemetery and my Great Grandfather is on the Cenotaph outside Worthing Town Hall, having made the ultimate sacrifice in WW1. I have his original ‘If I am killed’ letter sent to 34 Steyne Gardens (now the Ardington Hotel) and his original MC award letter. His daughter Freda was also passionate about Worthing. She was a founding shareholder in Worthing Golf Club and helped to save the club from bankruptcy after WW2. My parents still live in Worthing, I live in Worthing and my children go to school in Worthing. I work in property finance and manage a portfolio of varied property assets in and around Worthing. 

To all the people who would say no to us using our land for commercial use I ask why not? Since the outbreak of war in 1939 and building work stopped, it has just sat empty. When we took on the land it was an overgrown jungle used by nobody. It was full of rubbish and debris. It was an unused eyesore loved only by the few ramblers, who passed by it. It was not pretty, please see the picture section.

I believe more people will enjoy Goring Gap if we are formally allowed to open a family entertainment and wellbeing space. We will have a shaded sandpit for small children (similar to the one in Worthing town centre – except with shade during the day and covered at night), together with a tumbledown mound. For the adults there will be a boules area and the Kite Bar and a set of goal posts for the active teenagers. We will have tea and coffees, bubble tea and cold drinks (including alcohol).

Although I am personally teetotal when I lived in France there was nothing more special than a glass of red wine and a game of boules with friends on a summer’s day.

Worthing is a sea-side town. How many of you travel oversea and are able to enjoy coastal entertainment. Why can’t Worthing be the same?