The city’s first micropub is finally set to open in Goldstone Villas next month.
Hove couples Dave and Ali White and Rick and Ruth Evans have battled red tape, objections and other setbacks in their journey to get the cafe-style pub off the ground.
Now, their dream is set to come true and the finishing touches are being put to the Watchmakers’ Arms before it opens in just a few weeks’ time.
Rick Evans said: “Some friends of ours in Kent started one, and we visited in 2013 and fell in love with the place.
“We thought it would be a great thing to do locally. We first planned to open on the corner of Richardson Road and Lion Mews.
“The council were on our side as they are trying to stop retail outlets disappearing into residential properties.
“We had 70 objections but despite that, our application was approved. But then the guy who was selling the shop decided to take it off the market.
“We then went and found a property in Goldstone Villas which is probably a much better location. It should be really busy with a lot of passing trade from the station.
“We found that when it was first built it was a clock and watchmakers shop, which is why we’re calling our micropub the Watchmakers’ Arms.
“We’re about a month away from opening, just fitting out and decorating now. We’re going to try and find some old photographs from its history to put on the walls.”
As with other UK micropubs, the Watchmakers’ Arms will only offer real cask ales, ciders, wine and soft drinks, as well as pre-packaged snacks.
Opening hours will be like those of an old fashioned pub, 12-2 and 5-9 on weekdays with longer evening sessions on Friday and Saturday until 11 pm. There will be a strict ban on music, game machines and TV.
A place that encourages socialising without the decibels and stress! Yay!
There was a glitzy black and chrome bar that set up a few doors down, called Foxy…gone. Only lasted a year or two. I think this will last a lot, lot longer if it avoids their failing of a huge bar and bar-stools filling the room…no tables much. If this looks a chillout place it will thrive.
Congratulations
Went to the opening night by chance and it is brilliant – just what it purports to be. Really must encourage as the philosophy is so good. Maybe needs some soft furnishings to dampen down the echo on the chatter but even without, it is still much better than having mindless music. Congratulations and best wishes for the future.