The Black Horse in West Sussex Reopens After Refurbishment

 “The feedback from the community and our locals has been wonderful …  they remember the pub as it was and they come in now and see the cosy pub but it’s remodelled and revived with a stunning interior”

After acquiring the property in 2019, Historic Sussex Hotels embarked on a project to restore The Black Horse. This family-run business celebrates the importance of architectural history thus the aim of this project was to marry modern amenities with the charm which defines this historic listed building. The Black Horse dates back to the 17th Century, owning a Grade II listing, and reputed to be a smugglers’ inn, serving as the beating heart of the community.

02 The Black Horse, Rybank Room - the-black-horse-pub-west-sussex
03 The Black Horse after Bar Area copy - the-black-horse-pub-west-sussex

Creating a Destination Pub with Luxury Accommodation

The brief was for James Wells Architects to design a pub with rooms, more in line with modern requirements and expectations, creating a homelier feel, with seven rooms ready to house fourteen people per night, as well as a destination eaterie. The biggest challenge here was carving rooms out of the traditional space, a skill that James has honed since moving his practice from London to Chichester.

Planning approval and Listed Building Consent was sought, negotiated and granted for a sympathetic restoration with poor quality extensions being replaced to enhance the setting of the building and legibility of the historic features. Planning permission was granted in November 2019. The original construction programme was ready to start on site but dramatically halted by the pandemic in March 2020. In November 2022 the project was revived and work started on site.

03 The Black Horse, Fireplace - the-black-horse-pub-west-sussex
04 The Black Horse The Pink Room - the-black-horse-pub-west-sussex

This comprehensive refurbishment project incorporated a new build replacement extension to become the dining room designed to flow naturally from the bar. The extension is built of a green oak frame handcrafted to evoke the sense of a Sussex barn. The extension was created with generous two-storey glazing with double doors that open onto the new terrace, creating a light-filled interior to the restaurant. The large sun-terrace provides a further 30 covers for ‘al fresco’ dining in the summer, linking seamlessly through from the light-filled inside seating area.

Keeping History Alive

On the ground floor, the original parquet flooring in the bar was uncovered and refurbished as well as the fireplace rebuilt; purpose designed bar and banquette seating were designed by JWA and built by RGM Joinery and a private room was incorporated in the ground floor plan. Although renovated, the fireplace retains its original brickwork and sense of tradition which gives the impression of slipping into the cosy warm past on entering. The impressive use of traditional space further allows for an intimate 10-person private dining experience whilst also expanding the number of covers for general dining. Both the private dining room and restored fireplace breath an air of modern life into the pub while preserving the cosy traditional foundations of this listed building that the locals know and love.

The worn out back of house and cellar arrangements were completely rethought and the new kitchen repositioned. By reworking the first floor space, seven double bedrooms each with en-suite bathrooms were created as guest bedroom suites. Two of the most special rooms were fitted with private terraces facing East to enjoy the sunrise.

06 The Black Horse, bar -the-black-horse-pub-west-sussex

This listed building refurbishment scheme provides 90 covers inside for dining, seven en-suite bedrooms a completely remodelled kitchen and new purpose built bar area as well as customer WCs for the pub and dining area. The original pub had poor access for those with restricted mobility and improved disable access has been provided. The en-suite bedrooms have been decorated with wallpaper from local designer Fiona Howard Wallpaper. In line with restoration of the tradition and timelessness of the pub, the luxury wallpaper was designed with inspiration from the local flora and fauna of the Sussex landscape.

Transforming this historic building from a tired old pub into an appealing, comfortable and elegant destination pub with accommodation has resulted in the return of this valuable community asset as well as introducing a desirable weekend get-away to the tourism offer of this delightful part of West Sussex. JWA specialises, among other things, in retaining the tradition of buildings while giving the interior a breath of fresh air.