A commercial director is aiming to transform an abandoned seafront structure previously used as a bus stop into a café operating throughout all seasons.

Chris Dixon, who leads Goring Gap Ltd, has revealed intentions to submit a tender for the West Beach Shelter situated along Marine Parade in Worthing.

This move follows the borough council’s announcement earlier in the year that it would be looking for a partner to redevelop the location.

Mr Dixon has released architectural designs for the proposal, which carries the name Pebble Beach Café.

The establishment would serve food and beverages on a year-round basis, incorporating interior seating alongside potential outdoor seating areas or decking.

In a public statement outlining his vision on his website, Mr Dixon expressed that the shelter had remained vacant and unoccupied for an extended period, describing this situation as entirely unsatisfactory.

He characterised Worthing’s promenade as one of the town’s most significant assets and among the finest coastal stretches in Europe.

He advocated for ambitious development along this area while ensuring that businesses contribute something genuinely beneficial to the town.

According to the expression of interest submitted by Mr Dixon, the Pebble Beach Café is envisioned as a high-quality café and casual dining option emphasising locally sourced food and a curated selection of Sussex beverages.

The former West Buildings bus shelter, situated on Worthing’s seafront, has stood unused for considerable time.

Mr Dixon has previously engaged with the council on multiple occasions.

In 2024, he submitted an application to convert the Goring Gap area into a recreational space featuring a sandpit, a boules pitch, and a bar.

The council rejected these plans, and the planning inspectorate upheld this decision following an appeal.

Subsequently, a substantial sandpit was excavated on the green space without obtaining the necessary planning consent, which provoked considerable public criticism.

Mr Dixon later presented proposals for a comparable seasonal community green space at the location in July, which again encountered opposition from elected members.

A spokesperson for Worthing Borough Council stated that any proposals for the West Beach Shelter would be evaluated without bias.

The spokesperson added that a submission would be reviewed based on how it would bring life to the space, respect or carefully replace the heritage structure, and provide benefit to local residents and visitors.

The council indicated it welcomed any and all substantive expressions of interest.

Mr Dixon stated that he believed their proposal would distinguish itself not only through the intended outcome but also through its aesthetic appearance and how thoughtfully it would integrate with its surroundings.

The objective is to establish a structure that is visually appealing, environmentally conscious, and in harmony with Worthing’s seafront character.

His aim was for a first-time visitor to the completed café to assume the building had been a long-standing feature of the promenade.

The intention would be to showcase and promote the finest offerings from Sussex while establishing an appealing and hospitable destination for local residents and visitors alike.

The West Buildings Shelter is approximately a century old.

The council entered into an agreement with a developer in 2019 to construct a restaurant at the location, although planning permission was never secured.

The site has subsequently served as a temporary gallery space for local artists.

The initial round of submissions for the shelter tender remains open until September 20.