Brighton and Hove’s first micropub – the Watchmaker’s Arms – enjoyed a successful opening weekend, with a queue at the door before it had even opened.
The old-fashioned pub with the light and airy interior has been set up by two Hove couples, Dave and Ali White and Rick and Ruth Evans.
Mrs White and Mrs Evans have given up their jobs, working in local schools, to run the pub in Goldstone Villas, by Hove Station.
Mr White remains the deputy head of a Hove primary school while Mr Evans continues to work in IT. They can be found behind the bar in the evenings and at weekends.
Their pub offers real cask ales, ciders, wine and soft drinks, as well as nuts, crisps and pork scratchings. Many of the beers are from small local breweries such as the Hurst Brewery in Hurstpierpoint.
The opening hours also have a traditional feel – from noon to 2pm and 5pm to 9pm on weekdays.
On Friday and Saturday the pub stays open to 11pm. And there are no TV screens, music or gaming machines.
The two couples were delighted with their opening weekend – and are now gearing up to do it all over again.
