What matters to voters in Worthing?

The state of the town centre, rising costs and immigration are some of the top concerns for voters in Worthing.

Residents here will vote for their West Sussex County Council representatives as well as a third of the councillors on Worthing Borough Council on 7 May.

Between them, the two authorities are responsible for all the local services that affect everyone's lives, from schools and social care to roads, waste, public safety and economic success.

On the town's weekly market day, traders, local business owners and shoppers told BBC South East about the issues that matter most to them.

Alice Sanders White, who has lived in Worthing for 25 years, said immigration was her "number one consideration".

"Being a person of colour... I have noticed a growing agitation [and] people being quite unpleasant.

"I really don't like that atmosphere.

"I'm going to be voting basically for whatever [party that can] bring down that level of negativity and...almost racialism that's been emerging even in this relatively peaceful area," she added.

Tyla Head, from the town's Underground Bar, said what mattered to her was rising costs, which were making it difficult for businesses to plan ahead.

"Everyone is feeling the pinch," she told the BBC.

Tyla called on councillors to "focus more on independent businesses and create a stable ground for them to operate on".

"If they look after the businesses, they're also looking after their residents as well because the residents benefit," she said.

She added that there needed to be improvements to parking and public transport and fewer roadworks, as they were keeping people out of the town.

Tino Da Silva, who runs Jacob's Bagels in the town, wanted councillors to "bring more people" into Worthing.

He suggested the local authority could do this through promotion and events, such as "hula hooping and busking".

Da Silva also urged future councillors to put more money into "keeping the place clean".

"We'd be grateful if they can get rid of our bins into alleyways or [the] back of businesses, because at the moment people... smell the bins [and] complain."

The owner of Worthing Gin and Rum, Phil Duckett, said potholes were a major issue for him, and a "nightmare".

But he said that as a voter he wanted greater focus on community.

"Worthing's just gone downhill," he said. "It doesn't feel very safe, or a nice place to come and visit any more."

He suggested a town centre tsar should be created and be accountable for improvements.

Tom Cresswell, who owns The Fruit Machine stall, said one of his main concerns was empty shops.

"Maybe doing rate reductions on rates to inspire people to actually get out and start their own businesses [might help]," he said.

Cresswell also called for there "to be some kind of initiative" for people to start their own business.

"There are people out there that want to make businesses work, you know, but they seem like they're up against it," he explained.

The trader also raised concerns about the town centre.

"Just rejuvenating some parts of the town is now important to me. I've seen it go downhill over the last many decades," he added.

Mark Allen, 19, said he would be voting for the first time but had concerns about how young people were viewed in the election.

"We're not really heard enough because people think we're not mature enough to choose who we want to run the town," he explained.

The carpenter said his concerns included the state of the town centre, the cost of living and unemployment.

"It's very hard to go into normal work and it's very hard to support your own family and help them out also," he said.

"I think finding jobs as a young person is very hard these days."

Sixty-six candidates have thrown their hats into the ring for 13 seats on Worthing Borough Council, one in each of its 13 wards.

In 2022, the Labour Party won control of the council for the first time, ending 18 years of Conservative administration.

The authority currently has 37 councillors across 13 wards – 21 Labour, nine Conservative, three Worthing Community Independents, two Green, and two Reform UK.

People in Crawley will also elect the nine councillors who represent them on West Sussex County Council - currently four Conservatives seats, four Labour and one independent.

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