Newsletter 2026 - Bognor Regis Town Council

Bognor Regis Town Council Newsletter 2026

Mayor's Message

Welcome to Bognor Regis Town Council’s Newsletter for 2026! We hope that taking some time to read through the articles that follow will give you an insight into ‘everything Bognor Regis’, including more information on what your Town Council are doing for you and exciting events and dates for 2026.

Being elected Mayor in May has been an amazing experience and a genuine delight. It’s been a busy but thoroughly enjoyable time and I have been so fortunate to meet the wonderful people who live in and around our Town and are doing so much to make it a wonderful place.

Back in May, the first event I attended as Mayor was the unveiling of the Esplanade, following Public Realm Improvements made to the area. Following this were several fundraising events for charities such as The Snowdrop Trust and Brain Tumour UK. We welcomed visitors from our French twinned town of Saint-Maur-des-Fossés, and I cheered on runners as they crossed the finish line of the Bognor Prom 10K Road Race. The Bognor Regis Carnival Association produced an ‘Out of this World’ Carnival for our Town, celebrating their 10th Anniversary. Alice in Wonderland Day, put on by our Events team, was a big success, with Hotham Park transformed into our very own wonderland.

I was privileged to attend the Bognor Regis Armed Forces Day event, commemorating the 80th Anniversary of VE Day. The ‘Poppy Wall’ created by talented local knitters and crocheters, honouring the 216 people from Bognor Regis who lost their lives, was displayed on Bognor Regis Pier, as a poignant visual reminder of the terrible losses suffered.

Photo of the Mayor, Cllr. Mrs. Gill Yeates

Photo of the Mayor and Town Crier at Alice in Wonderland Day

Over the summer, I enjoyed recitals, concerts, awards ceremonies and openings, including that of the Repair Café at the Bognor Makerspace, which is open on the 1st Saturday of every month and offers the opportunity to take along broken items which volunteer experts will help to repair. A great initiative focused on waste prevention and repairing rather than replacing. The Town Council’s ‘Drive through Time Motor Gala’ and 'Alice in Wonderland Day' were further highlights of the calendar year and the ‘Funshine Days’, which offered a full programme of free activities for children during the summer holidays, were as well-received as ever. The Town Crier and I had the challenging job of judging the sandcastle competition on its opening day, and it’s safe to say that fun was had by all!

The events kept coming as we approached autumn, with the opening of Bognor Regis Foodbank’s new premises at the Hope Centre and the unveiling of the War Memorial Hospital’s new Community Hub, which I was lucky enough to tour alongside our MP, Alison Griffiths. This versatile space will be of huge benefit to local community groups. Big events came to Bognor Regis during September, including the Bognorphenia ’Our Generation’ Young People’s Day, in which talented young musicians gave us some outstanding performances. Southdowns Music Festival once again provided huge footfall in the Town Centre and seafront areas, with a versatile and exciting programme of live music, dance and stalls and the Bognor Regis Puppet Party brought a sea of colour and fun to the Royal Norfolk Hotel and Town Centre.

The Town came together, as it always does, to mark Remembrance Sunday outside the War Memorial on Clarence Road, and it was an honour to lay the wreath this year on behalf of the Town Council. The Service was extremely moving, and made even more so by the inclusion of the Parade, featuring Veterans and Cadet groups, who turned out in large numbers.

In the lead up to Christmas it was easy to get into the festive spirit, with carol services, concerts, the visiting of the ‘Ice Skating in the Park’, and of course the switching on of the Town’s new Christmas lights as part of the ‘Big Switch at 6’ event.

It’s been a privilege to have supported two fantastic local charities throughout my tenure – Stonepillow and My Sisters’ House. Both do so much good work for people right here in Bognor Regis, supporting them when they are at their most in need. As well as raising funds, I have also had the opportunity to see firsthand the difference they are making, visiting their various premises and meeting their volunteers, who make it all possible. If you would like to get involved, donate of just to find out more, please visit their respective websites by clicking on the following links: Stonepillow CIC and My Sisters’ House.

A large focus of the Town Council in recent years has been community engagement and as such, we held regular ‘Councillor Drop-In Surgeries’, throughout 2025. Thank you to all those who came over for a chat, to ask questions, raise concerns and learn more about what we do, and how we can help you. We hope to continue to offer these open lines of communication.

Photo of Santa taking to the stage at the 'Big Switch at 6'

The Mayor browsing the stall at the Artisan Craft Market

Another important priority has been ensuring the Town continues to offer a variety of youth provision, and you can read more about what we’ve achieved, within the articles that follow.

Introduced last year and hopefully continuing to grow this year, are the presence of regular markets in the Town Centre. In 2025 we held an Artisan Craft Market and a Christmas Craft Market and so far, this year, we have already welcomed a Health and Wellbeing Market to the Town, which was very well-supported by customers and stall holders alike. We hope to build on the frequency of these going forward.

With the much-publicised large redevelopment projects now making quick progress in the Town, I think we should all feel positive about the direction in which Bognor Regis is headed.

I wanted to finish by thanking everyone who has invited to me to attend an event this year. It has been a wonderful experience, getting to meet so many of you who make our Town a better and brighter place to live. Here’s to the rest of 2026!

Bognor Regis Town Hall - Public Consultation

Have Your Say: The Future of Bognor Regis Town Hall

Bognor Regis Town Council is inviting residents’ views on whether it should consider purchasing Bognor Regis Town Hall from Arun District Council.

The Town Hall is a Grade II listed building which, for nearly a century, has played a central role in the civic life of the town, hosting council meetings, public events, and community activity. It remains an important landmark and a valued part of Bognor Regis’ heritage, currently housing both Arun District Council and Bognor Regis Town Council, offering in-person support for members of the public.

Arun District Council is reviewing its property assets and may offer the Town Hall for sale. If Bognor Regis Town Council were to purchase the building, it could help secure its future use for the town, protect its historic character, and ensure it continues to serve the local community.

However, buying, maintaining and running a listed historic building would be a significant financial commitment and would likely require an increase in the Town Council precept, which forms part of residents’ council tax.

Your feedback will help inform Bognor Regis Town Council’s next steps.

Please share your views by completing the online form below. This should take no more than 2 minutes and your email address will not be collected.

Click here to complete the form

Funding Opportunities

Ensuring that Bognor Regis is a great place to live, work, study and visit, continues to be a priority for your Town Councillors, and this is reiterated through our corporate strategy. Our support of organisations through funding streams such as the ‘Youth & Young Persons’ budget, and Grant Aid, continues into 2026, with the Mayor, Cllr. Mrs. Gill Yeates presenting cheques to help fund some extremely worthy projects.

Amongst those awarded following a successful application, were Bognor Regis Town Football Club, with £10,000 going toward their new 3G pitch and changing facilities. This project marks a huge investment in supporting our local young people by promoting health and active lifestyles, teamwork, ambition and dedication to grassroots sport. The facilities are also expected to benefit local schools, community groups and sports teams, for many years to come and the Town Council are extremely proud to have supported this vision, through this budget provision.

The next round of funding opportunities with the Town Council will be open for applications very soon, so do keep an eye on our website, monthly e-bulletin and social media pages for all the details.

The Mayor with Bognor Regis Town Football Club Mascot at the Opening of the new 3G pitch

How some of last year's Grant Aid recipients spent their funding...

Last year's Mayor with recipients at the Bognor Regis Town Council Civic Reception

Bognor Regis Town Centre Action Group

Photo of a Bognor Regis Town Centre Action Meeting in progress, including the Mayor, Deputy Mayor and Alison Griffiths MP

The Bognor Regis Town Centre Action Group (BRTCAG) set up in 2025, brings together representatives from all tiers of local government, Sussex Police, the local MP for Bognor Regis and Littlehampton, Bognor Regis BID, community stakeholders, and local businesses. The aim of the Group is to revitalise the Town Centre, tackling antisocial behaviour, and improving the look, feel and experience of the Town for residents, businesses and visitors alike. Committed to strategic, joined-up action, an Action Plan to see through priorities has already been adopted.

With progress already being made, regular, transparent updates will be published on the Town Council’s website, and the most recent report can be found within the full article of this newsletter, by scanning the QR code.

Key Priorities of the Bognor Regis Town Centre Action Group (BRTCAG):

Improving community safety and perceptions of safety through coordinated efforts with Sussex Police and Business Crime Reduction tools like DISC.
Enhancing the Town’s appearance, including targeted street cleaning, graffiti removal, and plans for investment in street furniture and signage.
Addressing the impact of unregulated Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMOs) by engaging housing officers, planning, and community safety teams to improve the management of such properties.
Strengthening business and community engagement, with the Bognor Regis BID arranging regular business forums.

Bognor Regis Town Crier Competition 2026!

OYEZ… OYEZ…OYEZ… this year, we are delighted to be hosting our next Town Crier Competition in Bognor Regis!

Following the success of our inaugural competition in 2022 and then again in 2024, our Town Crier, the award-winning Jane Smith, will be hosting visiting Criers from across the country, who will be competing with their ‘cries’ across a series of award categories, including one for ‘best dressed’.

To be held on the seafront bandstand, coinciding with the Town’s Armed Forces Day commemorations on Saturday 20^th June. This promises to be a real spectacle! Keep an eye out for all the details to come!

Town Crier's enjoying 'Sunniest Bognor Regis' in 2024

Bognor Regis Town Crier, Jane Smith, with the poster from the 2024 competition

Budget Report

Dear Resident

Members of Bognor Regis Town Council unanimously decided to set the council precept at £1,104,229 at the Full Council meeting held on 5^th January 2026. This represents an increase of 4.76% that amounts to an additional charge of £2.31 per annum, based on a Band D property.

The Council made this decision knowing that any increase would be unwelcome in the general economic environment of today which continues to be difficult for many people. However, with this moderate increase, the Council will be able to run the full range of services and events that are important to the residents of Bognor Regis.

We have used this increase to provide further funding for the local youth work organisations and will continue to offer a variety of free entertainment both by running our own events and supporting outside bodies to run events by providing financial contributions.

Please click here for full details of this year's budget

*Includes employment costs (including health & safety and training), assets (e.g., seafront shelters and bike repair stations), and civic activities (including the Remembrance Day Service)

Town Hall Balcony Flagpole

Bognor Regis Town Council were delighted to see the Union Flag returned to its rightful place on the Principal Flagpole of the Town Hall balcony last summer.

The reinstatement came following discussion on the importance of the flag flying from the preferred position on a government building, by Members at a Council Meeting in September 2024. Having made our case to the building owner, Arun District Council, a replacement flagpole was ordered and returned to the balcony some months later, and in time for the Remembrance Sunday Service in November 2025.

To mark this important occasion, a short Rededication Service was held to which the Mayor of Bognor Regis, Chair of Arun District Council, Town Councillors, Mayor’s Cadet, Town Crier, Veterans and other invited guests attended.

We are sure this is an addition that will be very welcomed by residents of Bognor Regis as well of course by the Veterans, Cadets and Services Associations, to whom this flag is dedicated, and which acts as a symbol of our continued commitment to thank and honour those serving past, present and future.

Photo of the Mayor, Chair of ADC, Town Crier and previous Town Clerk, during the Rededication Ceremony

Development Work

External photo of the new Premier Inn Hotel

Redevelopment projects across the Town continue to make real progress. The Alexandra Theatre is currently undergoing a multi-million-pound overhaul thanks to the Government’s Levelling Up Fund contribution. The project has now transitioned from major external works to internal fit-out and external finishing, and is due to reopen later this year, to provide Bognor Regis with a theatre that is a central cultural and economic anchor for Bognor Regis Town Centre.

The Premier Inn is expected to open imminently, occupying the space of the old fire station and part of the nearby carpark. It’s estimated to create around 30 new full-time jobs, and to generate approximately £2.8 million annually for the local economy.

Recently approved proposals for The Arcade include provision for a comprehensive refurbishment and extension of The Arcade’s upper floors, delivering up to 35 new town centre apartments. The scheme may also include enhanced ground-floor commercial space and new external amenity areas, collectively improving The Arcade’s overall offer and the town centre experience for residents and visitors.

The above highlights several of the Town’s principal redevelopment sites and forms part of a coordinated regeneration strategy for Bognor Regis. This strategy seeks to revitalise the Town Centre, enhance housing provision, stimulate economic growth, safeguard heritage assets, and strengthen connections between the seafront, the Town, and local businesses.