Guildbourne Centre in Worthing has new bakery store

Bakers Aroma has arrived in time for Christmas, offering plenty of seasonal treats which its team say have already proved a hit with customers.

From festive cookies through to a range of freshly-made sandwich options, it has been doing some brisk business this month.

The news of a fresh arrival at the centre has been welcomed, following in the wake of the departure of Co-Op-owned supermarket chain Somerfield, which has yet to be replaced within the site.

Jason Baker, manager of Bakers Aroma, believed customers had given the store a very positive welcome, which has got the business off to a promising start.

He said: “It has been going well for us, so far.

“But it’s a bit of a culture shock being within a shopping centre rather than on a street, as we were, previously, in Lancing.

“I think it’s going to be good for us being in the town centre and have found we’ve had some consistent business, but hope it will pick up even more around Christmas.

“The rent here is at a fair price, as I understand they need businesses here in the centre and it’s not as much as it would have been had we been in the high street. It’s good value for money being here.”

Commenting on festive trade within the town, Mr Baker said he hoped smaller businesses in the town would be supported over the Christmas period and beyond.

He believed the addition of a couple of high street chain stores at the Guildbourne Centre would have a significant impact on enhancing its fortunes.