Ladies & Gentlemen, we are pleased to present …

Worthing is the largest town in West Sussex and boasts fabulous surroundings.  In a fantastic geographical location, Worthing offers the South Downs to the North and the English Channel to the South and provides ample shopping and entertainment facilities.  If the variety of shops, department stores and theatres don’t offer you exactly what you are looking for, then an easy route to the East is the uber-chic and cosmopolitan city of Brighton & Hove, or alternatively the historic and beautiful cathedral city Chichester to the West.  So what can we expect from this retirement development, Rotary Lodge?

Signs on the main road into Worthing guided me towards the central located development which provides ample off-road parking facilities and landscaped gardens.  It was an impressive first sight with the building standing out in the afternoon sun – the neighbouring plot is being developed for apartments which are almost completed.  Entrance to the building is made through security locked, electric glass sliding doors where signs instantly point out which way to turn.  I was greeted by the estate manager who guided me towards the sales office (currently set up in one of the one bedroom apartments).

I was invited to look around the two bedroom show-apartment, unaccompanied as the sales negotiator was speaking with a gentleman looking to buy for his parents.  Walking into the two bed apartment, it was instantly noticeable that space was a major selling point.  The bathroom was the first room I entered and I was taken aback by the size.  All of the apartments on this site offer both shower and bath, heated floor tiles, heated towel rail and offer the comfort of no shower tray for easy entrance and exit from the shower area.  The bathroom was designed in cool, calming and neutral colours with white sanitary wear and this colour theme was featured throughout.

Carrying on along the crisp hallway, I entered the master double bedroom.  It was a very good size, easily fitting in a double bed, wardrobe and dressing table.  I would preferably want to have a first floor apartment as the window on this ground floor plot looks out onto the car park and cars might obstruct my views.  However, because the windows are East-facing, there was a great deal of natural light available which could help cut down on rising electricity bills.  The second single bedroom was well designed in light colours and again residents can make good use of the East-facing windows.

The lounge/dining room are open plan with a large kitchen found towards the rear.  As is common with most retirement homes, the developer doesn’t provide a washing machine within the apartment but provides a washing room elsewhere in the building.  I did think that this could be a problem with only three washing machines and three drying machines provided for 40 apartments – but perhaps they work on a rota basis?  The kitchen comes with a dishwasher, fridge/freezer, oven and electric hob with an extractor fan and I was impressed with generous cupboard space.

The lounge was again a very good size, but if the residents decide they wish for a more social scene, they can take advantage of the communal conservatory and lounge which leads onto the communal garden. Furthermore, residents and their guests can book to eat at the Rotary Lodge “restaurant” - a weekly menu is printed and on show at the entrance to the lounge to enable residents to plan ahead for meal times. 

For the residents who love to get pampered, a Beauty Treatment Room is on offer where hair-dressers, nail technicians and other therapists can be found and hired.  It seems that there is a lot on offer all under one roof!

After looking around unaccompanied, I was then joined by the estate manager who talked me through some of the specifications until the sales negotiator had finished with his previous client. Both were chatty and helpful.  I was a little concerned about the management costs however a breakdown was given to me which put me more at ease.

What you get for your money:
Prices from £157,500 for a one bed apartment
Prices from £235,000 for a three bed apartment …
Shared ownership is also on offer for selected apartments …
£4284 p.a. service charges for one bed
£4644 p.a. service charges for two beds

Location, location, location:
A short walk to the bus stop and West Worthing train station.  Short journey into Worthing town centre, grocery shop a short stroll along the road. 

Best feature:
Spacious, caters for individual needs, allows for a good social scene, 24-hour emergency alarm, close to bustling town centre, modern interiors with carpets, buggy store, guest suite available.

Worst feature:
As everything is so easy to reach within the building, could it encourage some residents not to leave the building?

Contact the sales office Thursday - Saturday: 07882 370423

• Location:   8 of 10 (Easy access by roads and to amenities)
• Product:       9 of 10
• Sales Negotiator service: 7 of 10 (chatty and spoke a lot about the growing community in the building but didn’t personally show me around)
• Value for money:             Above average

Overall: Worthing has some good entertainment and leisure facilities, apartments are spacious and appealing …