Hungry revellers give businesses a boost
An estimated 35,000 people visited Worthing town centre for the event, with many spending money.
Sharon Clarke, Worthing Town Centre Initiative manager, said: “We are starting to get into the realms of the Lewes bonfire with the amount of people who turned up.
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Hide Ad“Part of its popularity is it’s such a family event. There’s such a nice feeling in the town of friendliness and community and that’s something some other towns have lost along the way.”
Paul O’Brien, owner of I Love Candy, in Bath Place, said he made as much money in three additional trading hours than he would on a normal Saturday.
Mr O’Brien said: “It was fantastic. It was phenomenally busy. We were packed all evening.
“It was such a good boost, especially this time of year when it’s usually quiet. I’ve spoken with a few cafe owners who didn’t stay open and they are kicking themselves.”
Retailers selling non-food products did not fare as well.