A developer has revealed proposals for a new town centre hotel.

Fresh Lime Developments plans to open the aparthotel above Superdrug in Worthing’s Montague Street.

Two storeys would be added to the building to create the 31 self-catered apartments with hotel facilities.

Lee Bibring, co-founder of Fresh Lime Developments, said he wants to turn the “quite ugly” building into a structure that “does credit” to the area and attract more visitors into the centre, providing a boost for local food establishments.

“Montague Street is a great street, it’s the main shopping street in Worthing,” said Mr Bibring.

“We’ve been very careful with the design to understand Worthing, understand its environment.

“We don’t want to stick something up that’s out of character and out of context to its environment.

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“That’s very important to us.”

Mr Bibring said Superdrug will be unaffected by the scheme and will not need to close during construction.

“It’s really important that it keeps its retail,” he said

“And, in my view, the more you can contain the cost of retail the more likely the retailers will stay.

“The upper parts of the building they don’t want them.

“It’s a huge building and the whole upper part of the building by and large is only occupied because it is there.

“We sat with them [Superdrug] and said why don’t you just keep enough for your stockroom, toilets and offices?

“No area of the aparthotel will infringe any area they trade from.”

The businessman said the aparthotel concept is becoming more and more popular.

“People like the aparthotel concept because it gives you a lot more flexibility,” he said.

“It’s a hybrid between a flat and a hotel.

“You can stay for one night you can stay for three weeks.

“It works well for both business and leisure travellers.”

The company has not yet submitted a planning application and wants to hear the views of residents on the designs before it does.

A public consultation will take place on the first floor of the Montague Gallery at 28 Portland Road (BN11 1QN) from 2pm to 6pm today.