Heat network construction disrupting trade, say shops

Businesses say works to install an underground heat network are impacting trade

Businesses in Worthing say disruption caused by the installation of the town's low carbon heat network is affecting trade.

Developer Hemiko is building a facility next to the High Street multi-storey car park which will pipe energy to large public sector buildings from three heat pumps.

The heat network is set to help save thousands of tonnes of carbon emissions each year by supplying buildings with hot water without the need for individual boilers, but businesses said people have been put off coming into town.

Hemiko said the current phase was "probably the most disruptive part of the work" but that works were "going well".

Samantha Whittington, the owner of Sewsilver jewellery shop in the Guildbourne Centre next to Hemiko works, said construction of the main plant and roadworks was "stopping people coming into town".

"We've seen footfall decline massively because the car park has been closed or it looks like a building site so looks closed," she said.

"It's made me realise how much passing trade my business relied on. I've had to reduce my opening hours because we can't afford to stay open."

Paul Wickenden, who works at Guildbourne Meats which has been open for 25 years, said: "We've been struggling, the car park isn't looking inviting.

"It's the welcome mat to Worthing, people are avoiding us."

Paul Wickenden said the business was "struggling" as the area did not look inviting to shoppers

Carole Ryan, co-owner of BDR Trading Surplus, claimed some months had seen a 30% drop in footfall.

She added: "Hemiko's plans are to install this type of heater [across the country]. It's a good thing because it's green but it's the traders along the way who are going to lose their businesses."

Hemiko started constructing its heat network in May last year.

The plant in the town centre works by extracting heat from the outside air, even in winter, to heat water which is then circulated through a network of insulated pipes to provide heating and hot water.

The works include the main facility but also digging up roads to install the underground pipes, which has caused traffic disruption.

The first buildings to be connected are Worthing Hospital, the town hall and Connaught Theatre but the plan is to expand the network to businesses and homes in the future.

Hemiko said this was more sustainable and efficient than having individual heating systems using gas.

Charlotte Owen, growth director for Hemiko, told BBC Radio Sussex they were getting ready to turn the heat network on in autumn of this year.

She added: "I am really sorry to hear about how the Guildbourne Centre has been impacted by our construction work. I know they're disruptive and it's a difficult time for high street businesses across the country.

"I think the best thing we can do is catch up again with the centre manager about how we can help."

Ms Owen said they had put out more than 9,000 leaflets to homes and offered free parking at the High Street car park on the first and last Sundays of the month.