Worthing’s Brooklands go-kart track facing uncertain future

Marc Flinders, owner of Brooklands Go-Kart and Mini Moto Club, in Brooklands Pleasure Park, Worthing, said the future did not look good.

His claim follows permission being granted to build a new go-kart manufacturing, maintenance, testing and racing facility in Chartwell Road, Lancing Business Park – a five-minute journey from Brooklands.

Mr Flinders said he felt “incredibly let down”, especially as he had been told he could not talk during Adur District Council’s planning meeting because he had a commercial interest.

He said: “As the location is very close, this will not only have a negative effect on the business, but also generally on the park and the surrounding area as a whole.

“This is a local business and has been there for more than 50 years.

“It is a local attraction. Because we’re small, we are not going to be able to cope.”

He added: “It is very, very close. Even if it were in Shoreham, we would have a fighting chance, but, instead, it is on our doorstep.”

Mr Flinders said he had followed all council requirements when leasing the park, including investing lots of money into the business in the last year.

Brooklands Go Karts also works closely with We Play Too, a project for children with disabilities, as well as Sussex Police to help stop youths riding mini motos round residential roads.

He said: “There were so many kids and youths riding mini motos and getting caught, so we offered a club where, on a Sunday, people bring their own bike and use our facilities.”

The new, indoor go-kart track was given the green light after more than 200 objections.

A petition, with 239 signatures, and 46 letters of objection were received by the council before the planning meeting.

The main concerns were increased noise, increased traffic and the loss of an industrial unit.