Plans for new deli, wine bar and tap house in Worthing

The Worthing Well Limited is currently applying for a new premises licence to turn the former Ladbrokes, at 79 Rowlands Road, into a deli, wine bar and tap house.

Joel and Fleur Penny will be behind the new venue, which will be called The Signal Post. They are currently awaiting permission from Worthing Borough Council to open and sell alcohol on and off the premises between midday and 11pm seven days a week. They made a licensing application in September, whichwas discussed during a hearing last Wednesday following several objections.

The pair, who are also directors at the New Amsterdam Pub, in High Street, were at the hearing to answer questions about the new business. “There’s been a slight misunderstanding from residents as to the sort of business that we are planning on running,” said Ms Penny. “A lot of people feel it’s going to be a cocktail bar or something like that when I think it’s much more comparable to something like Wine & Reason. It’s going to be food-focused with a drink option. “We’re born and bred in Worthing. We know the town and the area that we will be moving into. We understand the challenges that come with that but we hope to be good neighbours.”

Mr Penny said they hoped to be ‘part of the reinvigoration of the west end of town’. “We personally struggle to find places where we can go where we both like the food, where we both like the wine and that’s something that we wanted to bring to the town really, a real sort of connoisseur’s venue,” he said. “We’re not planning to be a loud venue.”

Mr Penny explained that the new business would not open for another month or two and that it would only stay open late during monthly tasting events. The pair also said they would be investing in sound proofing to prevent disturbance to nearby residents. A decision is due to be published within five working days.