Owned by Forward Inn's, the Cockle and Bacon theme was that of a Victorian Music Hall. The opening blurb read:

"A titillation of bars and eating areas offer the empyrean delights of ambrosian foods and delectable drinks throughout the day and far into the evening". The name was derived (they said) from a traditional English dish!

As far as we are aware, this was Forwards inn's second establishment in Worthing, the first being The Dickens Inn in Ann Street. Here the food was basic and the draw was the alcohol whereas the Cockle and Bacon was intended to be the reverse, but as time moved on it would prove otherwise.

Newspaper article from the same year. A flat owner was complaining that the Cockle & Bacon were allowing customers to sit, eat and drink on the premises roof which was directly below the flat owners window. It has been said that the couple seen in the picture are Ron and Denise Clack, the landlords of the Royal Oak!

We are not aware of the outcome. Thanks to Pat Heffer from Worthing Past and Present Facebook page.

It is no small sense of irony that the building is now home to Anchored, a micro-pub with the intension of selling nothing else than alcohol in its various forms.

 Time Line

 A little bit extra