20/01/2026
‼️🚨 IMPORTANT NOTICE 🚨‼️
Ref; Horsham pubs, The Kings Arms, The Bedford and The Malt Shovel
It is with regret that following a meeting today Tuesday 20th January our independent pub business, owners of the Kings Arms on the Bishopric and the newly acquired Malt Shovel on Springfield Road, will soon be leaving The Bedford, with our final day likely to be Saturday 7th February. New tenants will take the pub from then, we are unsure if they’ll just continue straight away or close for a short period, please look out for news from the new tenants on that.
In 2017 our small independent business acquired the Kings Arms on the Bishopric and it’s almost 8 years to the day since we closed the doors to refurbish this wonderful pub dating back to 1667. And after a bumper Christmas, we reflect, with a wow, on what a journey it has been!
But Hospitality never stops (apart from when a global pandemic comes along 👀) and so, in July last year, when our small pub business took a phone call asking, “Do you know anyone that could perhaps take on The Bedford pub?” we responded, without too much thought “We can help”. And within 10 days we took the keys and set to task fixing this grand ol’ pub.
Fast forward 7 months, and we’ve crammed a lot into a short space of time!
However, and unfortunately, we have not been able to reach a suitable agreement with Stonegate for the lease at the Bedford, and it’s not been for the want of trying. In our humble opinion, we’ve fixed the pub and returned it to some of the former glory that Anthony, John and their families and staff worked so hard to achieve over many years - but the fact of the matter is that the hard £ and pence numbers that Stonegate (the pubco/ freehold owners of the building) want simply doesn’t work for our business.
Unfortunately the tied pub model (The Bedford being a tied pub, meaning the operator must pay inflated prices for buy the beers sold on the premises) means that prices are high and margins are tight, and whilst we respect Stonegate also have a business to run, they are at the behest of shareholders, bondholders, venture capitalists and banks - which often means they chase a number that, in our humble opinion, isn’t fair and equitable to the pub operator. Or at least not as fair as it should be!
Moreover these mammoth pub companies are once or even twice removed from the community, and don’t have that communities interests at heart like we the pub operators do. We believe they have some grand plans to reintroduce a kitchen and we can certainly see the benefits of this to the local area - but with grand plans come financial commitments and for all the reasons already mentioned those plans won’t be happening with our hard earned money. Our plans to turn a profit so we can be a thriving and sustainable community asset, employing and serving local people and having fun times and good times, for many years to come, whilst we do!
We sincerely believe that from our work, and the hard graft of our staff, that The Bedford is now well placed to realise its potential!
For the ongoing good of the Town and the immediate community that surrounds The Bedford, we’d like to wish the next operators every success and we urge Stonegate to give them a fair deal so they can give it a fair shot.
**THE MALT SHOVEL**
In the meantime, we are delighted to announce that we turn our attentions to The Malt Shovel, another wonderful pub and a community asset delivered to the people so well for so many years by Sam and Marie-Clare.
The difference for our business at The Malt Shovel versus The Bedford is that our small business has managed to acquire the freehold. Grasping it from the tied mitts of the pub company, thus making it a true Freehouse - securing this fantastic pub as a community asset for decades to come. Interestingly we hear developers showed a keen interest shortly after our freehold offer was accepted - so instead of another building site chucking up a block of flats - we’ll be delighted to be enjoying Cask Ale, Live Music and a heavy helping of Community Spirit very soon! And for many years yet!
**PUBS MATTER**
Our love for pubs starts and ends with people! Social and mental wellbeing, neighbourliness, community spirit, commiserating in sad times and celebrating in good times - whether you come alone or with a group, irrespective of your race, religion, sexual orientation or social class - you are welcome here (Good Vibes only is the only prerequisite) All of life’s rich tapestry has a home in hospitality. Pubs matter because people matter!
**MALT SHOVEL PLANS**
After 7 months of closure please excuse us for a few weeks more whilst we stir this sleeping giant!! Please look out for announcements and a launch date and then…. please come together for our launch (and beyond) and let’s collectively show all and sundry that the Great British Pub is alive and kicking!
Please follow us on social media to keep up to date.
Finally, we wish The Bedford and its future management, staff and patrons all the best, and the same to every other pub in Horsham for that matter.
This 200 year old quote still rings true today; “There is nothing which has yet been contrived by man, by which so much happiness is produced as a good tavern or inn.” Samuel Johnson
We may bump into you in town, if not we’ll see you at the Kings and the Malt!!
🍻 LONG LIVE THE GREAT BRITISH PUB 🍻
