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Which? readers described Bognor Regis as ‘a seaside town that’s forgotten it’s next to the sea,’ and the Mirror’s digital money editor and former Bognor resident can’t help but agree
“Grey and miserable.” That’s how Levi Winchester, the Mirror’s digital money editor, described her hometown of Bognor Regis.
While Levi has now moved on to sunnier pastures, she holds an enduring love for a seaside town that is etched into Britain’s coastal consciousness, yet has fallen on hard times.
Bognor was recently condemned as the worst seaside town in the country by Which? readers, knocking Bangor in North Wales off the top spot. The results come from a survey of readers who took around 9,000 trips to British seaside towns.
Described as “dirty,” “rundown,” and “depressing,” Bognor received just one star for its seafront, food and drink, tourist attractions, scenery, shopping, parking, peace and quiet, and value for money.
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“I remember many happy summers playing down the beach in Bognor Regis. At low tide, you could see sand for miles, as the smell of fish and chips wafted through the air,” Levi recalled when asked for her thoughts on a town that once served as a home to George V for three months.
“The town was always buzzing with families enjoying their trip to Butlin’s—and while the seaside resort still attracts large crowds every year, the town itself has lost its heart. The promenade lacks love and is in need of a serious revamp.
“Even under the lights of the pier, it still just feels grey and miserable. Like many other UK high streets, the main town centre is empty now with hardly any shops left. I barely recognised it when I visited last month.
“Which? readers described it as ‘a seaside town that’s forgotten it’s next to the sea,’ and I can’t help but agree with that. West Sussex County Council has committed to spending £40 million to regenerate the seafront, some of which has already been used on recent works to improve the esplanade, including more plants, new seating and litter bins, plus better pedestrian, cycle, and disabled access.
“More needs to be done, but let’s hope this is the start of bringing Bognor back to life.”
Not everyone is quite so down on Bognor.
Freya and Matthew Reynolds run the independent furniture store on the high street that shares their family name. They told The Argus how much they loved the town.
Matthew, who moved to London and then returned, said it is a “lovely place to raise a family by the seaside.”
“I think Bognor has done quite well. There are not that many boarded-up shops. In other places, half the town centre seems to be boarded up,” he said.
Julia Smith, a 58-year-old carer, reacted strongly to the news of Bognor’s lowly ranking. “I think it’s a bit of snobbery. You need to come down and see it for yourself—don’t rely on so-called reports,” she told The Guardian. “There’s so much here. The sea is amazing. There are loads of places to eat as well, whether you’ve got a tenner or 100 quid to spend.”
She added: “We live here, and we never get sick of it. I’m going on 60, but I love it.”
Despite grappling with its reputation, there’s no denying Bognor Regis’ unwavering popularity. Each year, it attracts a whopping four million tourists – a number likely to keep growing thanks to the likes of Butlin’s, which recently spent £1.8 million upgrading its complex in the town.
Boasting a Victorian pier originally built in 1865, a slew of golden sandy beaches, rows of arcades, and plenty of fish and chip shops – Bognor Regis still possesses all of the quintessential coastal must-haves. One recent visitor argued they loved the ‘lights along the pier at night’, while other respondents suggested that Bognor Regis could recover its glory days with the right investment.
Speaking to the Mirror, a West Sussex County Council spokesperson described the town as having a ‘rich heritage, strong sense of community and a growing ambition for regeneration’. “Significant progress is already underway, including the recent £1.39 million Esplanade Public Realm Improvements,” they added.
Bognor Regis Mayor, Cllr Gill Yeates said she doesn’t recognise the town described in the recent survey by Which? She added: “Bognor Regis offers a traditional seaside experience with its family-friendly beach, historic pier, and enjoys repeat visits from holidaymakers who come back year after year.
“We are in a great location nestled between the sea and the South Downs National Park providing a base for visitors to explore the wider area or enjoying the tranquil coastline. Bognor Regis is consistently rated in the top two sunniest UK destinations. We are open for business and you can be sure of a warm welcome.”