Booker's Beershop 1857: It was only a stroke of luck that we discovered the existence of this beer house; unfortunately, we don't know exactly where it was other than 'Richmond Place' Worthing. The information came from the Sussex, Surrey Standard newspaper dated Saturday, July 18, 1857.

A police officer had been on duty on the night of the 7th. Just before 1 am, he caught sight of two or three men looking out of the door of Booker's beerhouse. Another police constable knocked on the door and demanded entry. An occupant could be heard at the back of the house.

The defendant, Edward John Booker, brewer and beerhouse keeper, replied in court that he was sorry, he was in bed at the time. he said, "I had left the key in the window for my son, who had gone to Shoreham Gardens, and had brought three young men home."
 

Booker said that the cellar was locked up and they could not get any beer. Booker then reminded the court that he had been the keeper of the Wheatsheaf for seven or eight years before and had never had a complaint against him, and requested leniency.

The magistrate deliberated and announced that it was their opinion that the case was proved against Booker and issued a penalty of £5 but, in consideration of his past, they instead imposed a fine of 10 shillings with 18 shillings cost and should he default he would be committed to the house of corrections for 21 days, and any further convictions and he would be ineligible to keep a beer house for two years. The fine and costs were paid.

There was a mention of an upholstery business also in Richmond Place, and noted it was close to the Boys National School which puts it roughly at the eastern end of what is now Richmond Road.

Time Line

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1857 - Edward John Booker