Pub Heritage Ship Inn
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West Sussex - Southwick
Two star - A pub interior of outstanding national historic interest
Listed Status: Not listed
Southwick StreetSouthwick
BN42 4AD
Tel: (01273) 592958
Facebook https://www.facebook.com/SouthwickShipInn
Real Ale: Yes
Lunchtime Meals: Yes
Nearby Station: Southwick
Station Distance: 150m
Public Transport: Near Railway Station (Southwick) and Bus Stop
Bus: Yes
View on: Whatpub
Pub interiors of the 1960s with anything like intactness are now very rare, but here is one, refitted in 1963 by brewers Watneys who had taken over Tamplin’s ten years before. The public bar has a contemporary, illuminated bar back, advertising the now-infamous Watneys Red Barrel, which symbolised the keg beer CAMRA was founded to fight. The curved counter has a Formica top. However, there are some 1930s survivals too – panelling, brick fireplace, door glass and a Bisset automatic darts scorer (which saved on mental arithmetic), no longer in use and attached, for some strange reason, to the bottom of the wall behind the door. The saloon bar is intact from 1963 with ply-panelled walls, a counter with a beer barrel-style theme, and another illuminated bar-back fitting.
A remarkable survivor having an interior revamped by Watneys/Tamplins in 1963 which is largely intact. Thousands of pubs throughout the country had similar internal refits but virtually all of them have subsequently been refurbished. The Ship still retains 2 small bars as the locals refuse to allow the owners to make changes! The Ship is a 19th century building which was also refurbished in the 1930s. The public bar has old panelling on the walls and ceiling, a 1930s brick fireplace and it was only the bar counter and bar back that were changed in 1963. the bar back fitting has an illuminated red barrel insignia and the wording 'Watneys' and 'Tamplins'. The curved bar counter has a Formica top and the front has a nautical-style rope at the top. 'The Bisset Automatic Darts Scorer', from the 1930s which requires you to use a finger to mechanically reduce the score from 501, is no longer used and has been attached, for some strange reason, to the bottom of the wall behind the door! The former leaf (swing door) entrance now made into one door but retaining original leaded glass 'Public Bar'.
The saloon bar was completely revamped and slightly extended in 1963 and has floor to ceiling ply panelled walls completely covered in nautical items. The bar counter is of panels joined by strips of copper so as to resemble a straightened barrel and has a Formica top with copper edging. the bar back has the wording 'Watneys' and 'Tamplins' in the illuminated top section and only part of the lower shelves is missing having been replaced by fridges. The stone fireplace is from the 1960s which is the date of the nautical-style circular windows in the doors. In 1963 new toilets replaced the former outside ones. All the windows on The Twitten (south side) were replaced in 1990s with double glazed ones but with old style lettering proclaiming 'Tamplins Ales', 'The Ship Inn' and 'Cask Ales' (saloon window). The panelling in the entrance lobby to the saloon bar is from 1990s. All bar furniture is quite modern. The building was 3 cottages until 1890's.
Full Description
The saloon bar was completely revamped and slightly extended in 1963 and has floor to ceiling ply panelled walls completely covered in nautical items. The bar counter is of panels joined by strips of copper so as to resemble a straightened barrel and has a Formica top with copper edging. the bar back has the wording 'Watneys' and 'Tamplins' in the illuminated top section and only part of the lower shelves is missing having been replaced by fridges. The stone fireplace is from the 1960s which is the date of the nautical-style circular windows in the doors. In 1963 new toilets replaced the former outside ones. All the windows on The Twitten (south side) were replaced in 1990s with double glazed ones but with old style lettering proclaiming 'Tamplins Ales', 'The Ship Inn' and 'Cask Ales' (saloon window). The panelling in the entrance lobby to the saloon bar is from 1990s. All bar furniture is quite modern. The building was 3 cottages until 1890's.
