Associate Partner at Gilbert & Cleveland, Tim Cooper, provides an overview of life in the seaside town of Bognor Regis.
Known for its beaches and seaside, Bognor Regis is a coastal town in the heart of West Sussex with a diverse property landscape boasting both intimate chalets and grand Victorian townhouses. King George V was a regular visitor to the town and was followed by a long line of royalty. In June 1929 the King approved the suffix ‘Regis’ and as a result, the town became known as it is today and synonymous with British seaside holidays.
But there’s more to Bognor than its history. With its Grade II listed pier and seaside promenade, this former fishing village has an up-and-coming football club, a number of fantastic schools and many gardens. The South Downs National Park is only a 15-minute drive away where there are numerous spectacular scenic views, great walks and endless countryside.
This said, the resort town still caters for seasonal tourism and hosts a number of popular local events that attract families from all over West Sussex such as Rox on the Prom, the Southdowns Folk Festival and Proms in the Park. It is also home to Butlins, a popular holiday destination for people from all over the country.
With 1,900 hours of sunshine a year on average, it is one of the sunniest spots on mainland Britain. Located less than an hour away from Portsmouth and Brighton, the town itself is situated approximately 70 miles south west of London with direct train routes to the capital city and excellent road connections to the neighbouring towns that make it a great property hotspot.
The town is on the up, having been shortlisted in the coastal communities category in this year’s Great British High Street competition after undergoing a number of recent improvements, including the transformation of the railway station square and the development of a whole host of new retail parks. Rolls Royce’s new technology and logistics hub is set to open in early 2016 and that will also make a significant impact on the local economy.
New regeneration projects are beginning to come to life and bring with them the promise of new attractions and entertainment facilities to provide more draws to the coastal town. Overall the house prices are continuing to increase as we see a growing interest in the town; the average house price stands at £247,818. The properties that come to market are being snapped-up as quickly as they are put on. This lack of property stock is certainly having an effect on the prices – with desirable properties selling at a premium.
Bognor Regis boasts a variety of different property, whether it be a home directly on the beach front or within one of the exclusive private estates. From large Victorian detached properties to more modest semi-detached houses, flats and bungalows, there is something to suit all budgets and requirements. Many buyers move from London to the area or retire to Bognor Regis thanks to its flat coastal location with numerous bungalows and seafront apartments.
For landlords, Bognor Regis continues to show great potential because it presents a number of great restoration opportunities for the buy-to-let market.
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