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There will be free parking in a town after businesses raised fears about their potential closure because of the impact of work to realise a “pioneering” sustainable heating scheme. Hemiko has agreed with Worthing Borough Council to sponsor the initiative at the High Street multi-storey car park on the first and last Sunday of each month from April until July 2025. Parking will be available to residents and visitors all day on a first-come, first-served basis.
The move comes after traders in the town centre said they were facing a number of challenges , including a drop in footfall due to roadworks and fears for the impact of changes to parking charges. Changes to parking charges came into effect in February and means visitors have to pay on arrival rather than at the end of their stay. In March, Worthing Business Improvement District said businesses were under threat of imminent closure and needed urgent support in the form of a free parking initiative , the suspension of other roadworks bar that of Hemiko and a business rates holiday.
Since January, High Street in Worthing has been partially closed while Hemiko installs pipework for the low carbon heat network . Heat networks are an alternative to gas boilers and provide heating and hot water to homes and buildings through a network of insulated underground pipes. The dates for free parking are as follows: • Sunday April 6, 2025 • Sunday April 27, 2025 • Sunday May 4, 2025 • Sunday May 25, 2025 • Sunday June 1, 2025 • Sunday June 29, 2025 • Sunday July 6, 2025 • Sunday July 27, 2025 Alongside free parking at High Street multi-storey car park, Hemiko has rescheduled planned works outside the car park, which were originally set to take place from April 14 to 17.
This follows feedback from the Worthing Town Centre Bid which raised concerns about the potential impact of these works on businesses in the run-up to Easter weekend. Chris Horner, Project Manager at Hemiko, said: “We understand the importance of supporting our local businesses, especially during times of disruption. By rescheduling our works and sponsoring free parking, we hope to make a positive contribution to growth in the town centre.
“Thanks to everyone for their continued patience as we approach the end of works in the summer. We now encourage everyone to go out and enjoy some of the amazing shops and restaurants that Worthing has to offer.” The free parking dates will coincide with several free events hosted by the Bid, including an afternoon with Magician David Croucher and a chance to meet the Easter Bunny on Sunday April 6, 2025, and the Worthing Street Market Party and VE Day Celebrations on Sunday May 4, 2025.
Hannah Manzaroli, manager at Worthing Town Centre Business Improvement District, said: “We appreciate the ongoing partnership and efforts to support our town centre. Free parking is a fantastic way to encourage more people to visit, shop, and enjoy everything our businesses have to offer and we look forward to working closely with our partners, Hemiko and WBC to ensure this initiative is well-promoted to local residents and visitors alike.” Councillor Rita Garner, Worthing’s cabinet member for regeneration, said: “We recognise that the current climate for high street businesses is challenging and would like to thank everyone for their continued patience while the Worthing Heat Network is being developed across the town centre.
“We’re committed to doing as much as we can to help our town centre thrive and hope that the free parking offer will be a great incentive for residents and visitors to come and support Worthing’s traders and the many events happening in the town.”.
