Worthing’s creative hub faces a new lease from April

UK News Desk 2026-10-21 12:12 2 min read

Bright, rustic creative workspace in the UK with a wooden desk and bench.

Worthing is seeking proposals to run Colonnade House after its current lease ends in March 2027. The new lease is due to start in April 2027, and organisations can submit expressions of interest until Monday 30 November 2026.

The process concerns the future of a venue that provides affordable creative workspaces and exhibition space in the town centre. Proposals must include managing the ground-floor gallery.

What the next operator would manage

The historic building on Warwick Street has a street-facing gallery on the ground floor and 10 studio spaces across its three upper floors. Each area has a separate entrance and could be operated as its own entity, but the gallery must be part of every proposal.

Worthing’s creative hub faces a new lease from April

A multipurpose workshop area is also being developed next door on High Street. The council says it is particularly interested in proposals that broaden the art forms represented in Worthing, welcome residents from different backgrounds, maintain an inviting high-street presence and show long-term financial viability.

A lease tender after 10 years

Adur & Worthing Trust has operated the venue in partnership with the council since Colonnade House was transformed into a creative venue in 2016. The trust’s lease expires in March 2027. The council says it must run an open and transparent tender for the next lease.

The venue recently marked its 10th anniversary with an exhibition featuring work by 10 artists, one representing each year it has been open. Councillor Dom Ford, cabinet member for communities, culture and leisure, said the aim is to keep the building a place where local talent can develop and be shown, while supporting community access and economic growth.

Expressions of interest close on 30 November

Creative and cultural organisations and businesses interested in taking on the lease can submit proposals by Monday 30 November 2026. The council’s announcement says the new lease is intended to begin in April 2027.

Source: Adur and Worthing Councils News

Context & actions About this article

Source check Source and checks

This report follows the Adur and Worthing Councils announcement and checks the stated lease dates, venue spaces and proposal requirements against the supplied source.

Checks

Checked the current lease expiry and proposed start date.
Checked the expression of interest deadline.
Checked the listed spaces and requirement to include the ground-floor gallery.
Attributed the stated selection interests and comments to the council announcement.

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