Worthing: Topping-Out for Teville Gate House

A 'topping out' ceremony on Wednesday (1 July) marked a major construction milestone for the new HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) Specialist Site at Teville Gate House in Worthing, near the railway station.

The taxman said HMRC has had a longstanding presence in Worthing and the new office will be home to around 900 full time employees. 

Councillor Daniel Humphreys, Leader of Worthing Borough Council, Alan Tume of HMRC, John McGregor, director of Teville Gate House Ltd, Conor McKenna and Gary Bell of McLaughlin & Harvey placed the last paving slab on the roof to mark the occasion.

According to HMRC officials, construction is due to be completed early next year. 

Redevelopment has been on the cards since at least 1998, as the 1960s concrete-and-brick shopping centre and car-park infamously deteriorated.

Director of Teville Gate House Ltd John McGregor said:

"We are extremely proud to reach this point and it is a testament to all our partners in the project that we have been able to get through the difficulties caused by the COVID-19 pandemic and to make such progress.

"This is a story of hard work and success, all within the regulations, using common sense."

Constructors said the site was closed at the end of March when the COVID-19 lockdown was imposed, but described "careful planning and close cooperation between all parties" that enabled the site to open again a month later, compliant with social distancing guidelines. 

The new five-storey development is being built by McLaughlin & Harvey.

Councillor Daniel Humphreys, the leader of Worthing Borough Council added:

"Teville Gate House will boost local business and support our on-going work to improve the vitality of the borough and to make the station a more welcoming approach into Worthing." 

HMRC officials said Teville Gate House was chosen as the preferred location for Worthing's Specialist Site as it meets the taxman's future needs and location principles.

The derelict office and retail premises at Teville Gate House (below) were demolished to make way for the new development.

HMRC also expressed a hope that the project could encourage the development of the adjoining site where planning consent was recently approved.

Teville Gate before reconstruction began. Photo: Matt Davis / Creative Commons

HISTORY

The site itself is named after the former tollgate that stood on the site for the turnpike road between Worthing and West Grinstead — though historians point out the gate was removed in 1823.

It is also near the Teville Stream which, though now diverted underground, can be heard and seen when walking through the underpass at Worthing Railway Station.

As for the name itself, its origin is obscure, though one writer suggests it could relate to the Teville Stream dividing in a 'T' shape in former fields (Teville or Teevil Common) near the site.