Assurances over future of Horsham pub

The Bedford in Station Road, Horsham, has been temporarily run by pub group North & South Leisure since July last year.

But the company is now concentrating its efforts on reopening another Horsham pub – The Malt Shovel in Springfield Road – which it bought earlier this month.

North & South Leisure – which already owns the award-winning King’s Arms in Horsham’s Bishopric – says it will relinquish The Bedford, owned by pub chain Stonegate, on February 7.

Meanwhile, Stonegate says the pub’s future is secure. A spokesperson said: “Stonegate is in discussions with a potential new publican and expects the pub to continue operating as normal.”

The longest-serving landlord at The Bedford – John Brown – finally called ‘Time’ in January 2024 after nearly 28 years of pulling pints there.