Pub to rejuvenate Bognor's seafront

Husband and wife Sherry and Andy Rawlins along with close friend Jez Burton want to put the The Elizabeth II pub in The Steyne, back on the map.

Mrs Rawlins said: “We are really looking forward to opening, the inside of the pub is been renovated and it will have a new contemporary design in time for the opening.”

The team, who have big plans for the establishment are looking forward to getting everything up and running.

Mrs Rawlins said; “We can’t wait to get in and everything up and running, we hope to be able to bring something fresh and different to the pub.”

The trio are hoping to re-invent the public house as a music venue.

“We are going to concentrate on Motown and soul music, something gentle and calm to reflect the atmosphere we want to create.

“We will have other music styles that customers ask for, but we really want to use the more soothing music to create a nice environment for people to socialise in”

Mr and Mrs Rawlins have managed three other pubs and this will be the second one in the Bognor Regis area, their last one being The Lamb.

“There is just something about Bognor, it gets under your skin, from my experience anyone that comes to live in Bognor finds it very hard to leave.

“It is a close-knit community and we hope the pub will become central to that,” said Mrs Rawlins.

She added: “We have decided to keep the name the same because that is what people know the pub at and it is what they like.

“We want to have a mix of the old and the new, it will still be the Elizabeth II but not really as you know it.”

It is hoped that the public house will become a hub for the community, and a place were people socialise and enjoy a drink, and help towards the rejuvenation of the town.

“We want to make it a traditional pub, we are going to try and keep it family run, with our sons and daughters all stepping in to help out,” said Mrs Rawlins.

She added: “The tearoom being operated next door by someone else will also be another place for people to enjoy and hopefully between that and the changes to the pub that area around the seafront can come alive again.”

It is hoped that after the Christmas period, lunches and other snacks will be served.

Mrs Rawlins said: “We will start to serve food, unfortunately the kitchens won’t be quite finished in time for the opening but in the future we hope to be able to serve lunches, things like paninis and sandwiches.”

The pub will re-launch on November 5.