21 March 2025

In January 2024 we applied for a new premises licence for Goring Gap. It was initially agreed by Worthing Borough Council Licencing department and Sussex Police withdrew any objections, but due to the number of representations a public hearing was called before a sub-committee panel meeting, made up of Worthing Councillors, at Worthing Borough Council on 28 March 2024. Sir Peter Bottomley and Sophie Cox gave evidence against our application.  The Councillors on the original sub-committee were Cathy Glynn-Davies, Rosey Whorlow (Chairperson) and Russ Cochran. The current leader of Worthing Brough Council Sophie Cox signed a petition against our application multiple times. Our application for a licence was refused. 

We appealed the decision to the Magistrates Court (as was our legal right) within 21 days of the original refusal and requested the hearing be held outside Worthing. The appeal was accepted and the preliminary hearing was heard on 17th of October in Crawley Magistrates Court. Grounds for a fresh hearing were accepted and a full hearing was set for 20 March 2025 at Horsham Magistrates Court. 

Worthing hired a top barrister, an expert in licencing matters, to represent them and we represented ourselves. Our appeal was successful and our new premises licence will be granted. 

We look forward to working with the licencing team at Worthing Borough Council, who have been professional, supportive and helpful throughout this process and are a credit to our great town.

Notes to Editors

How did we win? How did we beat a top barrister, the legal team at Worthing Borough Council and all the bias and dishonest Councillors? How did we beat them all without ANY legal help? How did David conquer Goliath? Click here to read all about it.