There aren't many places where you can order a pint, have a snack, and pick up some groceries at the same time.

The Refreshment Rooms, situated at the top of Salvington Hill, was originally a small shop, post office, and barbers back in the day. However, Shelley and Chris had other ideas for these ailing businesses and opened a Micropub and shop, breathing new life into this distant corner of Worthing.

We watched with interest when the application for a change of use was posted from shop to Micropub back at the end of 2020 and we imagined the excitement of the new owners and then the disappointment to be thwarted by the onset of Covid. Somehow they managed to bide their time and eventually opened in March 2022.

By all accounts they have become very popular, offering ale, coffee, cake and even have a visiting food vans on set dates. The shop opens early for locals and the bar a little later. Dogs are welcome in the bar area. Outside seating and car park.

Over 50 years had passed since the idea of a pub was first put forward for the top of Salvington Hill. Mr. A. Granville was appealing a decision by Worthing Council in 1968 to refuse his plan to convert Salvington Hill Stores into a public House.

AGAINST: The council claimed that it would have an 'undesirable impact' due to the site's shape, and that the loss of the stores would be a serious inconvenience to residents.

FOR: The Architect says the site was entirely adequate. Mr Granville said the stores did not pay, and the sub post office barely made a profit.

As we now know, the original idea was a good one. The advent of the Micro-pub meant a scaled-down version of a public house would work, incorporating a food store and a coffee shop/cafe. The footprint remained the same, its height remained the same, and being off the beaten track removed any traffic problems. The little barbers shop on the end, still there.

 Time Line

 A little bit extra

2022 - Opened