Well-known Eastbourne pub is saved by new owners

The future of The Farm pub on Friday Street is looking brighter as Revived Inns, a pub group for Sussex and Kent, has taken over the Langney site and is looking forward to reopening soon.

The group owns a total of six pubs and posted on its Facebook page on November 20 a photo of the inside of The Farm, telling customers “It won’t be long folks...the future is bright.”

A spokesperson for Revived Inns said, “We have acquired The Farm on a substantial lease with the landlord. The intention is to get the pub reopen as soon as possible. Some of the old team have been approached and are in line to take their old jobs back.

“The pub company is linked with local Bluebell Vineyard Estate near Sheffield park, so alongside a great real ale selection you can look forward to enjoying Sussex grown wines.

“The menu will be similar to before with some important and exciting changes. We look forward to meeting all the locals and supporters of the pub soon.”

According to the website of Revived Inns, the date of reopening is yet to be confirmed.

This comes after the former owner of the pub said in a recent Facebook post how Covid affected the business, causing him to call in the administrators on September 30.

The post from Brian Whiting, managing director of Whiting and Hammond, said, “It will come as no surprise that during this past year the hospitality sector has endured a torrid time as a result of the forced closure for three and a half months.

“There has been help to a degree from the government but sadly this doesn’t go anywhere near the expenses that needed to be covered.”

The pub was forced to close in March for the first lockdown. Following this, in July it was decided the owners would open four of their pubs they believed ‘would survive under the new Covid regulations’ to make enough money to open the remaining sites, but Mr Whiting said how further restrictions including the 10pm curfew meant that this has not been possible.

He said, “It breaks my heart to say The Farm will not be opening under its current owner Whiting and Hammond.”

Whiting and Hammond is a multiple pub operator and has managed to recover three of its sites from administration under the new name of WH Pubs, saving 150 jobs according to Mr Whiting.

He said, “I would like to thank all our loyal customers, fantastic suppliers and most of all the staff for their support over the years.”

Anyone wanting to keep updated about the pub reopening should go to https://www.revivedinns.co.uk/thefarmfridaystreet