Worthing is attracting both regional and national interest for its growing restaurant scene and creative community, writes Nick Mosley.
Seizing the moment, the team behind the highly successful south coast restaurant and café brand The Perch are offering a major stepping stone for new restaurateurs to Worthing to become part of the thriving and lively coastal town.
The jewel in Worthing’s crown is the Art Deco pier, boasting an historic southern pavilion, which the Perch team have recently restored to its former glory to become one of the town’s premier venues for dining. Looking back over the southern coast line, with the South Downs nestling on the horizon, the Nest is a stand alone dining space on the first floor and the ideal spot for a restaurant with a difference.
In the right hands, this could be one of the finest hospitality locations in Sussex, with envious views on the south coast.
Since 2015, Perch has been welcomed and supported throughout the county, in Lancing, Eastbourne, and then Worthing. Now owner Alex Coombes is looking to share the goodwill and opportunity that they’ve enjoyed.
Hoping to offer a helping hand to new restaurants looking to launch in Worthing, Alex and his team will provide the stunning restaurant space, with its 35-cover dining area, kitchen full of brand-new equipment and bar, for 18 months, while the new offering is established.
They’ll also offer the help, support and coaching the new operator will need as a restaurateur facing the challenge of expanding into a new location, plus marketing, HR, accounting and operational support if required. Rent will be set as a percentage based on turnover in order to ensure one of the most daunting parts of any restaurant’s overheads is kept manageable as the new venture becomes established.
Potential operators are invited to apply via the Perch’s website and demonstrate a clear vision of how their premium offering will work at the Nest. They’ll need to have what it takes to create an incredible menu and be able to deliver an exceptional guest experience. Applicants will also need robust projections of their costs and revenue as this location.
"This is one of the finest dining spaces and I'm tremendously excited to see the ideas and developments that come from it. We want to support and grow a great idea into another fantastic restaurant in Worthing”, said Alex.
The new operator won’t stay at the Nest for ever. The Perch team will be on hand to help the new restaurant get established and build a reputation and then, in a year or two, they’ll assist the new restauranteur to find their own premises in Worthing - with its flourishing culinary scene and growing population.
Once again, The Nest will then be offered to the next batch of aspiring restauranteurs, with the aim being to provide Worthing with an ongoing stream of exciting new additions to the restaurant scene.
For more information on how to apply, please visit www.perch.team/nest.