PROUDLY SPONSORED BY THE DISTRICT POST
Friday 25.05.2018 thedistrictpost.co.uk
Horsham’s only independent newspaper 01403 289709
HORSHAM | BILLINGSHURST | HENFIELD | PULBOROUGH | SOUTHWATER | STEYNING | STORRINGTON
Sayonara Wabi hello Brewhouse & Kitchen martin read
Reporter
Dedicated restaurant goers in the Horsham district are shattered by the sudden, unforeseen shutting of another of Horsham’s popular establishments – Wabi in East Street. Enthusiastic customer reviews, clearly relishing the different fare on offer at Wabi, describe the Japanese restaurant as “Stunning” and “Excellent” with delicious food a - “Must visit.” The closure quickly follows the demise of two other well loved East Street eateries – the Italian restaurant Strada and, because of fire damage to its roof, French outlet Cote Brasserie – after repairs Cote hopes to re-open in late summer. Meanwhile, cuisine choices available at Horsham’s East Street – dubbed as “Eat Street” because of its concentration of diverse restaurants – have been reduced. There was no hint that Wabi would close this Sunday, disappointed owners Paul and Verity Craig saying that they had received an offer from the Brewhouse & Kitchen microbrewery gastro group that they simply could not turn down. A message on the Wabi website reads: “Having established nearly 9 years ago, we are sure that many of our valued customers will be sad to hear that Wabi will be closing on the
evening of Sunday 27th May. The owners would like to thank those of you that have supported, enjoyed and been associated with Wabi. We wish you all well.” The Verity’s Bohemia restaurant in Brighton’s Lanes will continue trading, but that may be cold comfort to regular visitors to Horsham’s Wabi. Brewhouse & Kitchen provide “delicious brews” produced in house, accompanied by food prepared on the premises and they have around 20 restaurant bars across England and Wales, the nearest being in Portsmouth. The Wabi premises at 38 East Street, on the corner of Denne Road, were previously occupied by the Victorian Horse & Groom pub, part of the town’s King & Barnes brewery licences. The brewery was taken over by Dorset based Hall & Woodhouse in April 2000 and the Horse & Groom closed in August 2008 under the Anti-Social Behaviour Act on the grounds of extensive drug use, because of which the licence was revoked. Horsham has not escaped the steady closure of pubs across the country, recently including the Tanners and the Queens Head – both not far from Wabi – the Fountain and the Rising Sun, but Brewhouse & Kitchen have clearly identified Horsham as must have location to be added to their growing pub empire, and their arrival will continue the long history of brewing in the town.
Visit
Horsham
The Official Horsham Directory Call 01403 793777 to get your business profile listed
www.visithorsham.co.uk
La Piazzetta
DRIVING PRICES DOWN
CAR AND VAN SERVICING, REPAIRS AND MOTs Nightingale Road, Horsham
TYRES BRAKES CAMBELTS CLUTCHES EXHAUSTS RADIATORS A/C SERVICE
01403 750500
AL FRESCO DINING 2 COURSE SET MENU + BOTTLE OF HOUSE WINE FOR TWO MONDAY - THURSDAY LUNCH & DINNER
La Piazzetta
£3
www.italian-restaurant-horsham.co.uk
0
5 Bishopric, Horsham RH12 1QA
01403 273133