Visitors to Bognor Regis Town Centre are in for a festive treat this Christmas, as an empty retail unit is transformed into a “Community Forest”.
Thanks to the support of Arun District Council and Butlin’s, we (Bognor Regis Business Improvement District) are working with community businesses, groups and artists to breathe life into the unit at 7-11 York Road.
With a fantastic start to the Community Forest calendar, over 400 people visited the forest at the weekend to see exhibitions of local photographers and artists’ work. Visitors will be able to find out information about some of the fantastic groups and businesses working with and for the people of Bognor Regis, the Community Forest will also act as a donation point for people to support their work this Christmas and into the new year.
The Community Forest will showcase organisations whose hearts are rooted in the community, including My Sister’s House, Eco Swap, Arun Rough Sleepers Network, Bognor Community Gardeners, Aldingbourne Trust, Bognor Bike Community, Men’s Shed, Bognor Foodbank, Radio Respect and Bognor Shopmobility.
The unit will also host more exhibitions and information days; Big Blake’s exhibition on the 14th and 15th December, with sculptor Vincent Gray in attendance. My Sister’s House will be running a one day “Vision Board for 2020 for Mum and Daughter” workshop on Saturday 7th December.
BID Chairman, Jason Passingham said “We’re grateful to Arun District Council and Butlins for their generous support in bringing this idea to fruition. When people think of business, they often think of retail, but the number of community based businesses and groups in Bognor Regis shows that business far exceeds buying and selling. Forests are where we lay down roots, encourage growth and nurture the saplings for future generations. Christmas is a time for giving, not just receiving, and hopefully the Community Forest will be a very visual reminder of that.”
For more information on exhibitions, workshops and information days, please visit the BID's Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/pg/bognorregisBID/events
