NEWS RELEASES
Come and enjoy the ‘Horsham Experience’
19th July 2004
HORSHAM has been a popular shopping centre for generations, right back to the times when fairs and markets were approved by Royal Charter in the 13th Century.
Today the ‘Horsham Experience’ is better than ever with easy transport, plenty of parking, a great variety of shops - including many specialist ones, historic places to explore and top class leisure facilities close at hand. The relaxed pace of life and al fresco atmosphere of the town centre remains as appealing and unique as ever.
Regular visitors will have seen at first hand the many spectacular changes that have taken place in the town centre in recent times. For those who have not called in recently, there is a real treat in store. Everything is so compact and easy to find.
In the past 20 years there have been five phases of redevelopment involving an investment of around £230 million. These schemes involved completion of a new inner road system, pedestrianisation of the historic Carfax, the creation of Piries Place and lanes linking up with East Street, the arrival of a Sainsburys superstore right at the heart of the town and the creation of a new public square at the Bishopric, home to the Shelley fountain.
The remarkable transformation of Horsham was completed earlier this year with the Blackhorse Way scheme which has added a further exciting dimension to the town.
The focal point is The Forum, a new public square with water features and a magnificent heritage sundial, commissioned to mark the Millennium and opened last year by Her Majesty the Queen. It is easy to find via the new 472 space car park, or from the town’s splendid new bus station.
From The Forum there is easy access to Horsham’s latest shopping gem, Allders, or a short walk into Sainsburys. Close at hand you can explore the rest of the town centre with its many attractions in the under-cover Swan Walk shopping centre, West Street, Bishopric, Carfax, Piries Place, Market Square and East Street where there are diverse shops and markets to suit all tastes and lots of fascinating cafes to choose from.
Horsham is one of the county’s easiest towns to reach by train, car and bus. Horsham Railway Station is on the London to Portsmouth line and offers a ten minute walk into the centre via North Street. The town’s striking bus station made of glass provides up to date travel information and a convenient under cover waiting place.
There are more car park spaces in Horsham than ever before with over 2,900 spaces. Multi storey parking costs £1 for two hours, £1.50 for three hours and only £2 for four hours. There are new, lower charges for longer than this too. Other car parks range from 30p to 60p for one hour and no more than £2 for four hours. That compares very favourably indeed with other towns.
Many people are now using the excellent value park and ride scheme at Hop Oast, just off the A24, which costs £1.50 per car per day (and only £1 on Saturdays) for up to five passengers. Convenient buses will have you in the town centre within minutes.
It is now easier then ever to combine a shopping trip to Horsham with a visit to one of the town’s leisure venues. An underpass via Medwin Walk leads directly to Horsham Park where visitors can take the family to enjoy ten pin bowling, swimming or gymnastics at the spectacular Pavilions in the Park, the skate park, the magnificent new children’s play area with its themed equipment and water efficient garden, or simply enjoy a delightful walk around the pond. Nearby on the other side of North Street is The Capitol, recently fully refurbished to provide all the latest cinema productions and stage shows.
For visitors interested in town history, Horsham has so much to offer. First stopping place should be Horsham Museum in The Causeway which offers a wealth of information about the town’s past, situated in a building that itself dates back to 1450.
There is the ancient Horsham Town Hall in Market Square, built by the Duke of Norfolk and scene of a famous murder trial in 1949. There is The Causeway lined by magnificent homes reminiscent of a past era, and the parish church of St.Mary, the oldest building in the town erected in the 12th Century by the de Braose family who arrived here with William the Conqueror.
Horsham’s award winning town has so much to offer its regular visitors and newcomers. History, atmosphere, convenience, modern style and specialist shopping, great value and colour too. It is a regular winner of the South East in Bloom title and in 2001 took two major awards in the Nations in Bloom competition held in China. That is, of course, not to forget the town’s wide range of festivals and events throughout the year and the delightful Christmas decorations, billed as the best for a market town in the south of England.
Come and enjoy the experience for yourself.
Ends
This news item is issued by Horsham District Council and Horsham Town Centre Forum.
CONTACT: Richard Morris, Communications Manager
(01403) 215549