Our seaside town has been labelled the worst in Britain – but here’s why all the critics calling it ‘tacky’ and ‘run-down’ are wrong

Proud seasiders in a coastal town which has been branded the worst in Britain have been hitting back against taunts about it being ‘tacky’ and ‘run-down’. 

A poll by consumer group Which? has put Bognor Regis in West Sussex at the bottom of 118 UK resorts when it comes to visitors’ experiences.

The coastal town was first developed in the late 18th century and has become known for attractions such as a Butlin’s holiday camp opened in 1960.

The late George V – great-grandfather of present King Charles – is alleged to have said ahead of his death in 1936: ‘Bugger Bognor.’

That was supposed to have been in response to aides suggesting where he might go to recuperate, according to explanations on the town’s Love Bognor Regis website.

An alternative suggestion is that he actually uttered the words in 1928 instead, when given a petition calling on him to add the word ‘Regis’ to the town’s official title.  

Bognor tends to be among England’s sunniest spots, yet landed itself last in Which?’s poll of the 118 UK seaside towns – based on responses from 3,800 people.

The resort earned a paltry one-star rating in most categories, including ‘Food and drink’, ‘Value for money’ and ‘Scenery’.

The West Sussex resort was described by one visitor as ‘a run-down seaside town’ and received a destination score of just 36 per cent.

Just ahead of Bognor was Bangor in Gwynedd – up one spot from its own bottom place result in last year’s corresponding survey.

Clacton-on-Sea in Essex was also poorly received by holidaymakers – provided with only one star for its tourist attractions as well as food, drink and scenery.

Many of the UK’s best-known seaside towns performed poorly in the new poll.

Skegness and Blackpool earned 54 per cent and 48 per cent destination ratings respectively, while winning only one star apiece for their scenery.

Even more ‘fashionable’ seaside hotspots failed to win the hearts of the British public, with artsy Margate scoring 56 per cent and upmarket Brighton 61 per cent

It was better news further north of the country, however, where Bamburgh in Northumberland retained its place as the nation’s favourite coastal destination – coming top for the fifth consecutive year.

Bamburgh scored an overall destination score of 84 per cent and was awarded five stars for its seafront and scenery.

One visitor declared Bamburgh a ‘gem’, praising its ‘sandy, clean beaches’.

The town was also rewarded for its good value for money – according to Kayak.com, an average night’s stay in Bamburgh costs £130.

Yet the Which? thumbs-down for Bognor has come as a disappointment to loyal locals there, who have now spoken up in the South Coast seaside town’s defence. 

They pointed to the ‘genuine’ sense of community and the quality of life which was high in the traditional seaside town.

The resort, which has a population of about 25,000, is said to be undergoing a renaissance with inward investment and building projects aimed at making it look more up-to-date.

On the seafront, the Alexandra Theatre is getting a £15million rebuild, while a Victorian shopping precinct called The Arcade is about to see an £8m revamp and a new £13m Premier Inn is being built.  

The town’s seafront promenade has also undergone a major facelift, including a walking area alongside Bognor’s pebble and sand beach.

Jane Steventon, 52, a Bafta-winning TV producer, moved to Bognor after a career which has seen her work in London, Glasgow, Liverpool and Wales.

But when talking about Bognor, she told MailOnline: ‘I love it here. It’s an exciting time to be in Bognor.

There’s a lot of investment and opportunity here and there’s a real buzz around town and a sense of excitement about what’s to come.

‘There’s a real sense of belonging here also, a proper community vibe.

‘I really don’t understand where Which? has got its figures from, because it’s also popular among visitors.’

Ms Steventon, now a lecturer at Portsmouth University where she teaches screen writing and film production, added: ‘Traditional seaside towns have seen new money coming into them in recent years.

‘Margate and Hastings are just two examples and I think we’re seeing the same interest in Bognor.’  

The Butlin’s holiday camp in the town has been praised for updating its traditional image, attracting not only families but also younger crowds for Big Weekender live music events at the seaside site.

One visitor said: ‘It’s got so much going for it. The Big Music Weekenders are brilliant and we come down with friends for those

‘I also love the shops which are quirky and not mainstream.’

Paul Wells, who runs haberdashery firm Knit and Sew in the town centre, said: ‘We have so much to offer and the Which? report doesn’t reflect the reality here.

‘Bognor has a personality of its own as it has loads and loads of independent shops and visitors flock here to take advantage of those.

‘We also have the highest recorded levels of sunshine levels in the UK which bring day trippers in their droves.’

Mr Wells, who has run his shop for 25 years, added: ‘The seafront is being massively renovated at the moment, but once it’s finished it will enhance the already wonderful beach and promenade area.

‘It’s also very friendly here and there’s a good sense of community with people looking out for each other.

‘It’s also in a great location for jumping off into the South Downs or other coastal destinations and a lot of people stay here if they’re visiting Goodwood or Pagham Harbour.’

Mr Wells described how such seaside towns had all ‘suffered since Covid’, while plenty of retail sales are being diverted online – but insisted: ‘I think Bognor offers a unique experience.’

Alison Terry, a retired maths teacher who moved to Bognor from Tunbridge Wells in Kent 30 years ago, has since raised two children in the town alongside her husband Mike – and says the sense of community there is ‘second to none’.

She said: ‘The pace of life is much slower here – people are more reflective and able to contribute more to their communities. There’s also so much going on here.

‘My two children both learned to sail here and embraced that life and there are so many opportunities.

‘It might be an old-fashioned seaside resort in many respects but it has evolved organically so new developments echo the old.

‘The town centre has a unique charm that I haven’t found anywhere else.’

Ms Terry added: ‘More than anything, the people are very genuine and loyal to the town and its fellow citizens. I love it here.’

Bognor Regis mayor Gill Yeates, who has lived there all her life, said: ‘There’s a huge amount of regeneration going on in Bognor at the moment and that means there has been a lot of disruption.

‘When that is complete, it will be a huge boost to the town.

‘The seafront is the jewel in the crown for us and it really is a gem but Bognor offers all this at a very affordable price. It is much cheaper here than at many places down the coast.’

Many of the projects are destined for completion by next year – and residents are hopeful the town could capitalise on existing popularity among those fans it does have, despite the Which? consumer poll backlash.

Stuart Gray, who runs Sweet Flamingo ice creams on the seafront, said: ‘Resorts are dependent on the weather and Bognor gets record-breaking sunshine.

‘When it’s busy here, it’s very busy. I don’t really understand what Which? is talking about.’