24/05/2026
With much interest in the revamped Alexandra Arts Centre as it starts to take shape, we thought we would dive into the Museum's extensive picture archive to look at its original incarnation as the Bognor Regis Centre. Two things worth mentioning here. One picture shows the crowds lining what was still York Road to welcome HRH Princess Alexandra to lay the foundation stone on an empty building site. Legend has it that the contractor quickly laid some bricks upon which to mount the plaque as the Council, who had been slated for decades over their much-heralded Seafront Redevelopment, which then collapsed only to materialise in a much cheaper and curtailed form, wanted to show progress to cynical residents. HRH then returned later to officially open the building, hence why there are two plaques in the auditorium which were originally in the concourse. The other photo of note is that of the viewing platform which stood on the south western corner of the site. The building had long been criticised for its lack of windows offering sea views and the only place you could see the see the sea uninterrupted by the promenade was from the viewing platform. It is ironic that that the one place offering views of the sea was subsequently removed........to improve the views of the sea from the cafe. You can find out more about the town's history by visiting the Museum at West Street, now open Tues to Sat plus this Bank Holiday Monday, 10am to 4pm.
