Littlehampton’s Marmite features – you either love them or hate them

But like the savoury spread, they are very much a part of everyday life in the town, and now Littlehampton Town Council has surveyed residents’ views on landmarks such as the East Beach Café, the Longest Bench, the East Bank development and even the new Waitrose supermarket.

The survey is a fun approach to the serious business of drawing up a Neighbourhood Plan for Littlehampton, giving residents a say in how the town will develop in the future.

So far, 118 have filled in survey forms after the questionnaire was launched at the Town Show in September, with the aim of finding out what people liked about their town, what they disliked and how they wanted to see it develop, as well as suggesting other facilities they would like to see provided.

Perhaps predictably, the East Beach Café divided opinion the most, with 54 people loving it, 59 hating it and five undecided.

The Longest Bench, which generated more letters to the Gazette than any other subject last year, was loved by 70 people, hated by 44 and four gave no answer. Among the comments made on it were several complaining that the large, open shelter didn’t actually give any shelter.

Littlehampton’s unspoilt beaches were the most popular feature, loved by 116 and hated by just one, with one more giving no answer. Not far behind was The Green on the seafront, loved by 106, hated by 10 and given no response by two more.

The East Bank development, considered controversial a decade ago and the subject of a bitter court case over access to the riverbank by fishermen, has now won people over, with its attractive waterfront walkway and the Look & Sea visitor centre. It has 103 people who love it, 10 who hate it and five undecided. People commented it would be better if they weren’t so many second homes there which were empty most of the year.

The Harbour Park amusement complex was loved by 75, hated by 27 and not given a rating by 16.

Away from the seafront and river, the new Littlehampton Academy has a high popularity rating, loved by 98, hated by nine and with 11 undecided.

The new Waitrose store at Anchor Springs, opened in August, also scores highly, with 94 loving it, 20 hating it and four not making any comment.

Plans for a Morrisons store at Wick are less popular, 65 loving the idea, 45 hating it and eight undecided.

Other suggestions for the future made by respondents to the Marmite survey included pedestrianising Pier Road, updating Beach Road, creating a plaza-style town centre and improving the swimming centre, including the addition of slides.

An ice rink or cinema were also on the wish list, together with a community hall and more night-time activities for young people. People also wanted to see less housing, but more facilities for people of all ages, and more big retailers coming to town.

What do you love and hate about Littlehampton? Let us know by commenting in the box below.