If approved, construction could commence as early as Autumn this year, providing sole traders and start-ups a much-needed boost post-COVID.


Detailed plans, which were developed after a public consultation held last year, have been submitted with a decision set to be made in the coming months.


The Colonnade House scheme includes additional gallery and exhibition spaces, a mix of open plan working areas, dedicated desk and office spaces, as well as flexible common areas, meeting rooms, a cafe and kitchen.


Digital infrastructure with ultrafast gigabit internet connectivity will run throughout the building.


Six homes will also be created on the site, made up of studio, one-bedroom and two-bedroom units. 


Councillor Kevin Jenkins, Worthing Borough Council’s Executive Member for Regeneration, said: “As a Council we are committed to creating a vibrant town centre life, which includes providing a growing number of digital and cultural entrepreneurs places to develop their talents.


“Colonnade House is central to that vision which is why, with the input of the wider public, we have developed proposals which could provide employment opportunities for the sector while creating vital town centre properties.”


Cllr Heather Mercer, Worthing Borough Council’s Executive Member for Customer Services, which includes culture, said: “Colonnade House has been an unprecedented success since opening. With an application submitted to build and expand on that success, it’s now up to interested parties to comment on the proposal ahead of the Planning Committee making a formal decision in the coming months.”


Colonnade House opened on the corner of High Street and Warwick Street in 2015 and is a landmark building in the town centre.


Currently, the Council-owned building houses two gallery spaces and ten studios. The proposed redevelopment of 1-3 High Street, 5-7 High Street and 52 Ann Street, would expand the workspace while seeing six new homes created.


The scheme’s designers, ECE Architecture, believe the plans maintain and enhance the character of Colonnade House while limiting the impact of the redevelopment on neighbouring properties.