Historic Eastbourne pub to undergo refurbishment after change of name and ownership

Following a recent change of ownership, plans are underway to refurbish The Rainbow – formerly known as The Counting House  – a grade II listed pub in Star Road.

While still at the pre-application stage, part of the proposed were discussed at a meeting of Eastbourne Borough Council’s Conservation Area Advisory Group (CAAG) on Tuesday (February 18). 

Speaking at the meeting, the pub’s new owner Shoes Simes told the group she hoped to make the business more “food-led” and “family friendly”.

She said: “I’m really, really passionate about The Counting House. It is a very, very beautiful building of really important historical importance to Eastbourne.

“I have been looking to buy the business for 13 years now and I am really interested in a long term investment and commitment to the building. 

“Unfortunately it has had a real lack of investment for the last 20 years and it has become run down. 

“My main aim is for it to be family friendly and to do a lot of food there, so it is not just a drinking establishment and it is a place for local families and friends to come.”

Ms Simes, who is also the landlady of The Eagle and Dew Drop Inn, took ownership of the pub back in November, which is when the pub’s name changed to The Rainbow – a name it went by some years ago.

According to Ms Simes, the overall plan would be to restore and renovate the building as well erect new outside signage.

Ms Simes said the refurbishment efforts would focus on the pub’s garden and modern extension building (built sometime in the 1970s), while the older part of the building would only undergo light decorative work.

The scheme appeared to win the support of many of CAAG’s members, who concluded the early proposals would ‘enhance’ what is currently there.

Speaking after the meeting, Ms Simes said: “Myself and my team are committed to restoring and renovating this beautiful old building, which has historical significance, as well as being important to the local community.”

Further details of the proposals are expected come in the near future once a planning application comes forward.

Huw Oxburgh , Local Democracy Reporting Service