Working together for Bognor Regis

Bognor Regis Regeneration Board and Bognor Regis BID worked together on the summer’s ‘Space To’ campaign, encouraging visitors to Bognor Regis.

The ‘Space To’ campaign, a partnership initiative from the Bognor Regis BID and the Bognor Regis Regeneration Board, encouraged both residents and local visitors to choose Bognor Regis for a day at the beach.  It ran for two months, starting at the beginning of the summer holiday period. The campaign focused on one single idea – an image of an uncrowded beach in Bognor Regis – to appeal to people wanting to spend a socially distanced day out at the seaside. 

Messages on advertisements which featured on bus backs, telephone boxes and newspapers in a 40 mile radius, as well as a radio and social media campaign encouraged people to come to the beach and explore the town and wider area whilst they were here.

Jason Passingham, BID Chairman, said “As we’d seen from newspaper reports, people who aren’t lucky enough to have an amazing seafront on their doorstep were searching for uncrowded beaches to visit. The “Space To” campaign was really effective in showcasing Bognor Regis’s seafront as a means to encourage people to visit the town.    And whilst we don’t take credit for the amazing weather this August, it was fantastic to see so many people - all with enough space to socially distance – really enjoying their time on the beaches at Bognor Regis.  The most interesting evidence to show the campaign worked is the fact that Google searches for “Bognor Regis Beach” were the highest they’ve ever been during the time the campaign was running.” 

Bognor Regis Regeneration Board Chairman, Raof Daud, said, “The Board was delighted to work with Bognor Regis BID on this campaign, which complements and reinforces the activities of key stakeholders, working together for the benefit of the town and local community.  The value of partnership in responding to the challenges post Covid-19 has never been more important and we look forward to working with BR BID and others on further steps to promote and improve the town centre for everyone.”