Inside new West Sussex champagne and cocktail bar

It launched in December, offering “crafted cocktails, refined surroundings and warm, attentive service”, and it's doing really nicely.

Owner Kevin Fox said: “The thinking behind it is that in terms of cocktail bars, that's something that has been missing from the Bognor Regis area forever. I don't think there's ever been anything like it. The nearest one like it is in Arundel. And there were just a lot of people looking for a certain kind of venue that wasn't a pub. They just didn't have anywhere to go.

“We are looking to provide upmarket cocktails and high-end wine and champagne and a large range of beers. We do cold food as well, charcuterie boards and cheese boards and nibbles and things like that.

“It is certainly an adventure but I was delighted with the response we have had. We have had nothing but positive reviews. Everybody loves the service and the ambiance. It is a 1920s and 1930s art deco cocktail bar. I'm very keen on art deco. I love the colours and the art and the shapes and the design and the lighting, and I think it just goes well with the cocktail and champagne bar vibe. It creates a very relaxing atmosphere. When people have had their first drink they want to stay. If you get that wrong then they have their first drink and they want to leave.

“In terms of why here, it is premises that I already owned. Before it closed down it was an Indian restaurant. It closed down three and a half years ago now. It has been empty ever since. It is tough in retail and particularly in this kind of market. Hence the reason for going for something niche, and so far it is going well. We were particularly busy in December. We had a lot of people through which was key before the cold miserable weather set in. January was always going to be a challenge but while this is new to me it is not new to Joe (Drew) who manages the bar for me.

“We open at 10am for coffee and pastries. Getting pastries from a local cafe is impossible. People don't sell them because if you don't sell them within 24 hours you have to put them in the bin but pastries are a loss leader for us to provide something different that people love. The whole coffee business is a loss leader in a way but it's a way of getting people into the venue that might then come back for the evening or at the weekend. If you're going to try and make money out of coffee, you need a lot more than the 36 seats that we have got but it's a good way to hook people in. We're also of a size which is ideal for private hire in our quiet times.”

Kevin owns the construction company Falcon Homes: “And this was just something that was missing from the area. It is the kind of place I would want to go.”

As for the cocktails, Kevin recommends the approach of just strolling in and discovering. They have proved remarkably popular, making up something like 75 per cent of the business so far: “And we have got great mixologists here, of which Joe is one. We've got three mixologists. Joe has created a list over a period of years. Part of the inspiration for starting this venue was that when I was eating and drinking in the area, Joe was working at most of the places I was eating and drinking. Joe does a great job and he was what I was looking for. The timing was just perfect. Joe jumped in and it is an exciting collaboration.”

The address is 58 Felpham Road, PO22 7NZ.