A seaside town on the south coast of England has been named as the “worst” in an annual survey for the second year in a row. Bognor Regis is a seaside resort in the Arun district in West Sussex, only around one hour and 50 minutes from the capital by train. It’s also close to popular staycation spots like Chichester, Littlehampton, Worthing and Brighton.
The town is synonymous with staycations, having previously been a go-to spot for British day trippers looking to enjoy some sun and sand, and home to an iconic Butlins. Along with the Isle of Wight and parts of Kent, it’s frequently cited as one of the sunniest places in the country. Arun District Council also notes that Bognor and Littlehampton beaches “hold the nationwide standard for the best beaches across the UK”. “Look out for the Seaside Award flag flying on our promenades throughout the summer as a symbol of quality, ensuring visitors and residents enjoy a clean, safe, attractive and well-managed coastal stretch,” its website adds.
But while the town clearly has a lot going for it, it has ranked poorly in Which?’s annual survey about the visitors’ experiences at the UK’s most famous seaside getaways.
The consumer champion surveyed over 5,300 people about 11,999 experiences of visiting a UK seaside town for leisure purposes in the previous year, quizzing travellers on their views on a range of criteria.
This included the quality of the beaches, scenery, food and drink, accommodation, tourist attractions, shopping, as well as value for money.
The destination score is based on visitors’ satisfaction with the location and their likelihood of recommending it to others.
Bognor Regis finished in last place for the second consecutive year, with a destination score of just 41%. Visitors commented that the town was “tired” and required “major rejuvenation”, the firm said.
It also received low ratings across the range of assessment criteria, including a 2-star for peace and quiet, and 1-star scores for its seafront / pier, food and drink, tourist attractions, scenery, shopping, value for money, and beach.
Other seaside towns towards the bottom of the table were Burnham-on-Sea in Somerset (48%), Southend-on-Sea in Essex (47%), Lowestoft in Suffolk (46%), Great Yarmouth in Norfolk (46%), Bangor in Wales (46%), Blackpool in Lancashire (46%) and Fleetwood in Lancashire (46%).
Locals hit back when Bognor came bottom last year, a 36% destination score. Jason Passingham, owner and operator of Heygate Books at the town’s train station, told Express.co.uk at the time: “I think the problem is the demographic of the people who are being asked.”
He said, unless a destination has fancy establishments selling “champagne with the fish and chips”, they’re “never going to give us a high rating”.
Former Bognor Regis Mayor, Cllr Gill Yeates, said at the time that the town “offers a traditional seaside experience with its family-friendly beach, historic pier, and enjoys repeat visits from holidaymakers who come back year after year”.
She added that the town is 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 enjoy 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.
Arun District Council hit back, saying: “We disagree as Bognor Regis has so much to offer, and a relatively small survey sample cannot capture the views of the many residents, visitors and businesses who know, support and value the town.”
The local authority acknowledged that like “many coastal communities, Bognor Regis faces challenges, but there is far more to celebrate than to criticise”, pointing to its array of green spaces and attractions, “including Green Flag award-winning Hotham Park, a beautiful green space where people can enjoy a stroll, visit the café, ride the miniature railway or play adventure golf”, among others.
It also noted works to improve the town, saying: “The Alexandra Arts Centre, formerly the Alexandra Theatre, is undergoing exciting regeneration work, and will bring even more arts, culture and entertainment to Bognor Regis when it opens next year.
“The nearby Arcade is also seeing investment, breathing new life into a much-loved part of the town’s heritage, alongside the continued appeal of the Picturedrome cinema.
“The Esplanade has also benefitted from a fresh new look, with improvements to the roadway and public realm. The “Beach on the Beach” and “Play on the Beach” areas give children and families more opportunities to enjoy the seafront safely – and on a good day, you might spot Gavin the seal enjoying the water!
“The Seaside Award flag flying there is further proof of the quality of the seafront services on offer. With the new 116-bedroom Premier Inn now open, there is even more space for visitors to stay and enjoy everything the town has to offer.”
Additionally it pointed to the town’s “fantastic range of award-winning independent shops and eateries”, its status as the “proud” home of Butlin’s, the rich literary history of the area.
“So, what truly sets Bognor Regis apart is its strong sense of community, its ongoing investment and improvement, and the people who care deeply about the town,” the council added.
“We’d encourage those surveyed to come back and spend a little more time here before making up their minds – they might be surprised by just how much Bognor Regis has to offer!”