Yes it's hard to believe these are the same pub. The first building dates back to around 1835. The back of the building may have been used as a mortuary at sometime. The landlord, pictured above left, is probably Henry Cooper  who moved down from Pettistree in Suffolk and lived in Worthing from 1867 to 1904.

One of Worthing's oldest Inns, the Wheatsheaf in Richmond Road, has undergone a transformation. its lounge has been almost doubled in size, and refurnished in period style. The licensee, Mr Bert Thomas, and his wife (seen in the center of the picture) were 'at home' to a large party on Monday evening.

The pub closed somewhere around 2017 (exact date unknown) and has remained empty since.

In July 2018 a fire broke out on the upper floor. Fire crews battled the blaze for 2 hours before bringing it under control. Police suspect arson.

Sadly Worthing has a bit of a history of pubs catching fire - thankfully it frees up the land for the construction of blocks of flats!

Left: A draft proposal for flats submitted to Worthing's Planning Committee to replace the Wheatsheaf. The scheme was rejected on grounds  which included; overdevelopment, harmful impact it would have on a conservation area and the lack of outdoor space and privacy for residents.

“The principle of development on this site is accepted and welcomed, but this is not welcome at all.” Councillor Edward Crouch.

1839 - John Levett
1851 - Edward John Booker
1856 - Robert Cooper (known as Richmond Place)
1859 - J Hoare
1863 - 1902 Henry Cooper
1913 - Thomas Butcher / James Butcher
1918 - Henry Lucas
1926 - 1936 - Archibald Streeter
1936 - John Thomas Woolmore
1939 - Glad & Harry Conyers-d'Arcy
 (one week before war broke out)
1959 - Bert Thomas
2013 Jason Mathews (November)
2015 - Steve Reeve & Beth Parsons
2016 to end - Dillon Weller & Laura Young

1902: Henry Cooper retired as landlord after over 39 years during which time local magistrates never received a single complain.