18-05-2025
Cafe to be transformed into new wine bar after plans approved
Plans have been approved to convert a cafe into a new drinking establishment.
Adur and Worthing Councils have given the green light to proposals to transform the Old Bakehouse at 2 High Street in Tarring, Worthing.
The Old Bakehouse ceased trading in July 2023.
The application suggests that new establishment will be a wine bar.
The historic property, part of a set of Grade II listed buildings dating back to the 17th and 18th centuries, will retain some of its original features while undergoing a partial change of use.
This includes turning the ground floor into a social drinking space, while the first floor will continue to operate as a hairdressing area with a new community room.
The new licensed social space will offer locally sourced cold food platters.
Drawings of the new exterior (Image: Three%) The new establishment will also have external seating in the courtyard facing Glebe Road and in the rear garden.
The plans suggest the drinking establishment will provide seating for a maximum of 60 people both inside and outside.
The proposed opening hours are Wednesday to Saturday from 10am to 10pm, and Sunday and bank holidays from 12pm to 8pm.
The applicants, Chris and Shelley Baxter, also own The Refreshment Rooms, a micro-pub in Worthing which was formerly the Salvington village store.
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Their wrote in their application: "Having breathed life into the village store (a much valued and council recognised Asset of Community Value) with The Refreshment Rooms, we are proposing a similar endeavour in the heart of Tarring Village.
"Whilst supporting the existing hairdressing services and a new community room on the first floor, the old cafe area would become a licensed, social space with locally sourced, cold food platters, balanced with plentiful, non-alcoholic drink options.
"Mirroring our efforts at The Refreshment Rooms, we would create a welcoming, inclusive setting whilst being mindful of issues that have blighted many residents over the years, including a zero tolerance approach to street drinking, smoking, and pavement loitering."
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The Worthing Society supported the proposal, which received 15 objections and four letters of support from the public.
Those objecting expressed concerns about potential noise pollution and antisocial behaviour, while supporters felt the new establishment would benefit the local community.
Sussex Police responded to the submission: "The level of crime and anti-social behaviour in Worthing district is above average when compared with the rest of Sussex, so additional measures to mitigate against any identified local crime trends and site-specific requirements should always be considered."
