Balmoral Castle - 21 Rowlands Road - 1970 to 2024
Prior to being a pub, the premises was a baker's shop but one with a licence to sell alcohol. So, one could buy a large brown loaf and a bottle of Guinness.
'When purchased with a view to changing use to a pub, rather than apply for a licence and risk being refused, this was a ready made site.' P. Cooper ex landlord
Opened in the early 70's by John Bachtiger and later managed by Alf Leaver then Paul Callister. (Stuart Elms)
Peter Cooper recalled that the Balmoral became the Pawn and Castle, Breakers, and then Bar Next Door. It was also the Concord Bar for a while.
'When purchased with a view to changing use to a pub, rather than apply for a licence and risk being refused, this was a ready made site.' P. Cooper ex landlord
Opened in the early 70's by John Bachtiger and later managed by Alf Leaver then Paul Callister. (Stuart Elms)
Peter Cooper recalled that the Balmoral became the Pawn and Castle, Breakers, and then Bar Next Door. It was also the Concord Bar for a while.
We were lucky enough to have a have a drink with Peter Cooper in December 2011 at the Selden Arms.
Peter now lives abroad but was over visiting friends, one of whom was Mark who joined us.
We heard may funny and fascinating stories and recollections but one item came as a complete surprise; it turns out the Balmoral was once known as Fagins, does anybody remember this, we assume it was a short lived name?
Peter now lives abroad but was over visiting friends, one of whom was Mark who joined us.
We heard may funny and fascinating stories and recollections but one item came as a complete surprise; it turns out the Balmoral was once known as Fagins, does anybody remember this, we assume it was a short lived name?
The signage was painted on glass panels
2015 undergoing some renovation work, the front signage was removed revealing what we believe to be the original baker's shop sign. Cathran Smith just happened to be walking by and took this picture and kindly passed it on to us.
Philip Wood has looked a little deeper and discovered that it was a bakery from the mid 1890s to the 1950s and remained in the hands of the Hale family during that time.
"He (Hales) had a licence there but he lost it because he was selling bootleg cider from Somerset - After he died it changed hands but up until the 60s there was a baker's there. - A chap called Parsons ran it at the end and he had a licence - my wife used to go in there and have a coffee and a nip with it if she wanted." David Sumner, chairman of the Worthing Society.
Philip Wood has looked a little deeper and discovered that it was a bakery from the mid 1890s to the 1950s and remained in the hands of the Hale family during that time.
"He (Hales) had a licence there but he lost it because he was selling bootleg cider from Somerset - After he died it changed hands but up until the 60s there was a baker's there. - A chap called Parsons ran it at the end and he had a licence - my wife used to go in there and have a coffee and a nip with it if she wanted." David Sumner, chairman of the Worthing Society.
Bar Next Door 2011 - 2019
2025 Closed
As far as we are aware, Bar Next Door in December 2024
As far as we are aware, Bar Next Door in December 2024
Known landlords
1970 - John Bachtiger
Alf Leaver ? to ?
Peter Callister ? to 1979
Peter Cooper 1979 to 1983
2014 - Tina De Lacy & Mark Archer
1970 - John Bachtiger
Alf Leaver ? to ?
Peter Callister ? to 1979
Peter Cooper 1979 to 1983
2014 - Tina De Lacy & Mark Archer