Dark Star to open pub in Horsham

By Mark Wingett

- Last updated on GMT

Dark Star Brewing Co. has secured a site in Horsham
Dark Star Brewing Co. has secured a site in Horsham

Related tags Public house

Sussex­-based Dark Star Brewing Co. has secured a second site for its new pub vehicle in the space of two months, after acquiring a site in Horsham. 

According to BigHospitality's sister publication M&C Allegra Foodservice​, the pub vehicle, which is led by Heath Ball and James Cuthbertson, has secured the former 1898 coffee shop site in the town’s East Street, with an opening scheduled for early next year after a refurbishment.

The company, which secured a former cocktail bar site in Haywards Heath this summer, will reopen the site under its previous name of The Anchor Tap.

The group plans to grow its estate to 20 sites in the next five years under the new vehicle.

It secured 41 The Broadway in Haywards Heath, which it will re-­open under the name the Lockhart Tavern.

Cuthbertson said: “For years people have been asking us if we can open a venue in Horsham, so when this opportunity presented itself, we jumped at it. Having previously traded as The Anchor Tap, we will be reverting to that name and bringing back some of the tradition that comes with the site, investing heavily in creating something beautiful in the town.

"What we want to create is a venue that provides locals with a great place to go and have a drink and a bite to eat that’s independent, locally owned and operated, using products from local producers.

“For those people that might be concerned, let’s set the record straight ­this isn’t about late night drinking or discounted drink deals – far from it. This is about creating something unique that grown-­ups can enjoy and adding something to the street and neighbourhood.

"Those that know the brewery, know that we operate with integrity and with the community in mind, no more demonstrated than through our Foundation that does a lot of work to support local causes”.

Ball currently operates two sites in London - The Wenlock Arms in Hackney and the Red Lion and Sun, Highgate. Dark Star currently has a further two pubs ­- a private lease of the Evening Star in Brighton and a lease with Enterprise Inns of their brewery tap, The Partridge in Partridge Green, close to the brewery. Both these sites remain within the existing management structure at a local level.

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