Central Hotel - Railway Approch - 1898
Currently the Railway Hotel, it may have started off as the Railway Tap, then the Central Hotel, then onwards to Chapman's, before proceeding to the Grand Victorian Hotel before settling to where it is today.
We should point out that there was a Railway Hotel before, but it wasn't this one.
Right: Under construction as the Central Hotel. We're under the impression that the original building needed more accomodation with the increase of rail tourists.
The Station was known as Worthing Central which is proberbly why the hotel was named as such.
We should point out that there was a Railway Hotel before, but it wasn't this one.
Right: Under construction as the Central Hotel. We're under the impression that the original building needed more accomodation with the increase of rail tourists.
The Station was known as Worthing Central which is proberbly why the hotel was named as such.
Little is known about the first landlord H.W. Symonds He was a leading member of the Brighton & County Licensed Victuallers Protection Society .He later joined Worthing's Town Council in 1912. Henry, It appears he owning several racing greyhounds as well as supporting local football and cricket teams.
Henry's wife was Elizabeth Mundy, legend has it - she was born on a Monday, christened on a Monday, married on a Monday, had a daughter on a Monday. She died (I expect you've already guessed it) on the 20th of April 1914. - It was a Monday.
Sadly I can't find where she was buried, or more to the point, what day!
Henry's wife was Elizabeth Mundy, legend has it - she was born on a Monday, christened on a Monday, married on a Monday, had a daughter on a Monday. She died (I expect you've already guessed it) on the 20th of April 1914. - It was a Monday.
Sadly I can't find where she was buried, or more to the point, what day!
Henry died still in charge of the Central Hotel on the 10th of September 1915. He was 67.
He was honoured with a military funeral having given 36 years service to the Volunteers. His coffin was taken to Broadwater Cemetery on a hand drawn gun carriage. As you can imagine, it was well attended.
Brian Downes may be best remembered by many as the landlord during the 1970's. He later sold it to Chris Chapman around 1980 who renamed it Chapman's who opened a popular nightclub in a side building.
He was honoured with a military funeral having given 36 years service to the Volunteers. His coffin was taken to Broadwater Cemetery on a hand drawn gun carriage. As you can imagine, it was well attended.
Brian Downes may be best remembered by many as the landlord during the 1970's. He later sold it to Chris Chapman around 1980 who renamed it Chapman's who opened a popular nightclub in a side building.
This memory from Jan Flowers: "In the late 60's early 70's Brian Downes and his partner at THE CENTRAL started very popular 'Faggot and Peas' nights with entertainment.
The pub would be packed on a Saturday night with people of all ages. Regular performers were Patrick Fyffe and George Logan, who were drag artists. Patrick would come on stage for the first half of the act and perform as Perri St Claire, a comic act, (not unlike Danny La Rue) telling jokes, some quite blue, and singing a few songs!
For the 2nd half they would both perform as the more serious Dr Evadne Hinge and Dame Hilda Bracket. On a Sunday morning they would come into the bar, (as themselves) and have a few drinks with the locals. This was all before they made it in show business, and had their own series on the TV!"
The pub would be packed on a Saturday night with people of all ages. Regular performers were Patrick Fyffe and George Logan, who were drag artists. Patrick would come on stage for the first half of the act and perform as Perri St Claire, a comic act, (not unlike Danny La Rue) telling jokes, some quite blue, and singing a few songs!
For the 2nd half they would both perform as the more serious Dr Evadne Hinge and Dame Hilda Bracket. On a Sunday morning they would come into the bar, (as themselves) and have a few drinks with the locals. This was all before they made it in show business, and had their own series on the TV!"
Another regular was Martin Quittenton, a British guitarist and composer. He played in the Worthing blues rock band Steamhammer, formed in 1968. Their debut album Steamhammer was released in 1969 with keyboardist Pete Sears as a special guest.
Quittenton, egged on by friend Jed Armstrong, he called Rod Stewart from a phonebox across the road infront of Worthing Station.with an idea for a song. This was the beginning of the hit, 'Maggie May'. thay also colabertaed on 'You wear it well' and 'Farewell'.
Quittenton, egged on by friend Jed Armstrong, he called Rod Stewart from a phonebox across the road infront of Worthing Station.with an idea for a song. This was the beginning of the hit, 'Maggie May'. thay also colabertaed on 'You wear it well' and 'Farewell'.
2019
Known landlords
1890 - Mews
1898 - HW Symonds
1901 - 1915 Henry Brimble Winchester
1960 - 1970s - Brian Downes
1890 - Mews
1898 - HW Symonds
1901 - 1915 Henry Brimble Winchester
1960 - 1970s - Brian Downes
A little bit extra
1890: The Central Hotel: Messrs, Mews were granted a final licence for the Commercial Hotel, to be opened next Wednesday, and the transfer was then made from Messrs, Mews to Mr. H W. Symonds, late of the Southdown Hotel. The licence of the King and Queen beerhouse, Heene, was surrendered by Messrs, Mews in accordance with the engagement with the Bench.
Comment by Worthingpubs: It would appear that the Bench (for licensing) weren't in favour of a person owning more than one pub, and to move from one to another meant giving up the licence of the first. It was however commonplace to find a string of pubs owned by individuals of the same family.
1890: The Central Hotel: Messrs, Mews were granted a final licence for the Commercial Hotel, to be opened next Wednesday, and the transfer was then made from Messrs, Mews to Mr. H W. Symonds, late of the Southdown Hotel. The licence of the King and Queen beerhouse, Heene, was surrendered by Messrs, Mews in accordance with the engagement with the Bench.
Comment by Worthingpubs: It would appear that the Bench (for licensing) weren't in favour of a person owning more than one pub, and to move from one to another meant giving up the licence of the first. It was however commonplace to find a string of pubs owned by individuals of the same family.
