ANGMERING’S Lamb Inn was back in business this week, after a chequered period which has seen it open and close several times in the past five years.
Parish council chairman Pat Turner cut a ribbon, as Arundel town crier Angela Standing declared the pub officially opened in a brief ceremony on Tuesday morning (April 3).
For the first time in 125 years The Lamb is back in private ownership, after changing hands among various breweries and pub chains, seen as a major factor for its fluctuating fortunes in recent times.
New owners, the Newbon family, have promised to “give the village its pub back”.
Businessman Lee Newbon, his wife Jean and their son Martin, a trained chef who is leading the kitchen team, bought the pub from Punch Taverns and have invested a substantial sum in completely refurbishing it, creating 10-12 new jobs in the process.
Five guest bedrooms have been upgraded.
While they are aiming for the gastro-pub market, they also want to retain The Lamb as a village local and are planning village nights, when Angmering residents can book a two-course meal, with a pint or glass of wine for under £12, and discuss the big issues in the community, or simply socialise.
Lee has a successful business background, running a major packaging firm, Tinsley Robor, floating it on the Stock Market, and later becoming an executive of an American based business in a subsequent take-over deal.
The family live in the village, at Ham Manor, and following Lee’s retirement and Martin’s qualification as a chef had been looking around for a suitable venture to take over.
“We want to provide the area with a quality of food which is consistent and fairly priced. If we can achieve that, and give a warm welcome and good service, people will come.
“We are not trying to drive the drinker away – we want The Lamb to be used by the village.”
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