Unfortunately the age of the building combined with its location means some of the concrete inside the car park is failing. Recent inspections have revealed that some sections of concrete are in a poorer condition than expected. For that reason, the council needs to carry out urgent investigation work and review the findings to determine how best to ensure that Grafton is safe to use.

Public safety is the council’s priority so it has immediately closed the whole car park to prevent there being any potential risk to people using it, following advice from independent consulting structural engineers.

The closure does not affect Hollywood Bowl bowling alley, Level 1 or any of the other nearby shops or flats. There is no danger to the main structure of the car park.

While the car park is being examined, the council is progressing with its work to find a partner to redevelop the site to breathe new life into the Montague Street shopping area and the seafront. A number of significant bids have already been received by the council.

The closure of Grafton will not mean an immediate shortfall of parking spaces in Worthing town centre. There are still well over 1,000 parking spaces across the area, in particular at the Buckingham Road, Civic Quarter and High Street multi-storey car parks. Details of car parks are available at www.adur-worthing.gov.uk/parking/worthing-car-parks/.

Nevertheless as the closure is unexpected the council is speaking to partners about ways to help shoppers and visitors to get into the town centre more easily. It has also identified alternative parking spaces for the residents of Knightsbridge House while a long-term solution is agreed.

Council staff are also discussing the situation with town centre businesses and organising a series of meetings to listen to their concerns and provide advice and information.