Southwick Fears Becoming 'Ghost Town' Amid Shop Closures

Residents in Southwick are alarmed by multiple recent shop closures in their local shopping area, Southwick Square, worrying about the potential decline into a “ghost town”.

Recent closures include the Dogs Trust charity shop, a Chinese supermarket, and a local florist, with concerns amplified by discussions on social media.

Local resident Sharon Ashton expressed the community’s dismay, emphasising their desire to prevent the square from losing its vibrancy and appeal.

In response to the shop closures, the community has shown mixed reactions to the announcement of The Flour Pot cafe planning to open in the location of the former Barclays bank. While some residents criticise the need of another cafe, many support the new business as a means to revitalise the square. Supporters like Rob Kent believe that the new cafe will bring more life and customers to the area, countering the negative impacts of the closures.

Despite the ongoing changes, the future of the other vacant units remains uncertain, leaving residents hopeful yet cautious about the potential for new businesses to fill the empty spaces.