There is no getting away from it, this pub will always be known to many as 'The Fountain'. Later guises included The Fathom and Firkin, The Assembly, Bar Release, Slug and Lettuce, and currently, at the time of writing, renamed Harlequin’s, in 2025.

Right: The classic view of the fountain who's basic shape still remains. Originally an architecturally rich building of red brick that has lost a lot of detail over the years.

It is thought, but not proven, that the Fountain took its name from the public fountain positioned outside the then town hall.

It may be a bit of a surprise, but that's not its original position. The map below explains a little better.

From what we understand, the Fountain started life around 1866 as a brewery in the position shown on the map, owned and run by Richard Carter. It was soon extended outward and had a frontage called the Fountain Tap where ale could be sold and consumed by the public.

Richard Carter lived in the building next door, on the corner of Chapel Road and Chatsworth Road (Then Cooks Row), which we today know as the Fountain.

In 1890 Mr Carter had decided to rebuild his home as a proper pub, but it came to light that although he owned both properties, the site of his then home wasn't covered by his alcohol licence forcing him to re-apply which was successful.

The 'P.H' on the map was the Volunteer inn, later renamed the Dragoon in Market Street.

Jack Watts, author of 'Old Worthing As I Remember', recalls the Fountain Hotel and its proprietor, Mr Wardroper with its very cosy bars'. I assume this to be
the same Wardroper who was landlord of the Maltsters in Broadwater from 1892 to 1896.

Paul Holden published an item in the Worthing Journal: May 1940: A rebuilding of the Fountain hotel has been completed by Frank Sandell & Sons to the direction of architect CH Ridge, the exterior of the building has been brick-faced, and the interior drastically reconstructed.
The Spanish garden dining room is one of the principal features.

 

1923 was marked by the death of landlord John Thomas Robertson. Many of the drinkers in his bar would have been aware of his football history.

Born in 1875, he played in native Scotland before moving down to England. His professional career began in Stoke where he played in the first division, including six FA Cups matches. He moved on to Millwall Athletic.

Robertson also played for Liverpool before joining Southampton in 1902 where he later sustained an injury that temporarily delayed his playing. Robertson played his last season in 1904 with Brighton and Hove Albion before retiring. He became a publican.

A Fascist History. It seems a little hard to believe now that the Fountain was the meeting place of the fascist movement in Worthing. Oswald Mosley and William Joyce (Lord Haw Haw), were attending a fascist meeting at the Pavilion. As they left, protected by a group of Black Shirts, entering a cafe in the arcade, they were attacked by a group of youths. Whilst attempting to flee to their headquarters in Ann Street, fascist supporters from the fountain rushed to their aid.

Mosley died of natural causes on 3 December 1980
Joyce was executed on 3 January 1946 at Wandsworth Prison, aged 39.

Meet Mr & Mrs Rauber. Max Rauber and his wife, Marion, stated very clearly to the local press that he plans to make the Fountain the 'swingingist pub in Worthing'.

He continued that walls were to be knocked down, carpets re-laid, and a complete refurbishment was planned. The public bar will be decorated in a "kinky" manner and will specialise in home-made pates, cheese and wines.

This is Terry Clarke, he's a bit of a traditionalist. Near the end of 1986, Mr Clarke took over the Fountain pub and, to the relief of many, it would seem, returned it to its former glory with a total refit.

Terry and his wife, Sandra, had moved down from Barnsley and had looked forward to their new home and a fresh challenge. he said the Fountain was more than just a pub. It's open throughout the day for breakfast, mid-morning coffees, lunch, and afternoon teas.

We can't help but think that the efforts of former landlord Max Rauber and his 'swingiest pub' theme didn't quite work out.

Opens as Harlequin's cocktail bar

1866 - 1891 Richard Carter
1897 - Edwin Tyrrell
1899 - 1905 David Ovenstone
1922 - Tom Robertson
1914 - Howell & Sons
1919 - Frank Howell (The Fountain)
1970 - Peter & Ruth Burgess
19?? - 1975 Harold Wilson
1975 - Max & Marion Rauber (Refurbished)
1981 - Peter & Wendy Richardson
1986 - Terry & Sandra Clark (car park became garden)
1990 - Mark Booth
1993 - Terry Andrews
1996 - Became Fathom & Firkin
1999 - Krista Bullock (as The Assembly)
2016 - Opens as the Slug and lettuce

Tuesday, 14 August 1893: In the cellar of a disused portion of the Fountain Inn, a body was discovered. It was identified as that of Henry Miles, a pub landlord from London who had been staying with his brother, who was the landlord of the Fountain. When the body was discovered, a razor lay near him, and his head was almost severed from his body.

The inquest, held in the Fountain Inn, heard how Henry had become jealous of his wife, taken to excess drinking to the extent that she had threatened to sell her house and leave. Mrs Miles had previously taken a revolver from her husband to prevent him from shooting himself. A verdict of temporary insanity was returned.