Major Refurbishment to Reopen Popular Sussex Village Pub After Four-Year Closure

Christmas has come early for one Sussex village with news that work is starting to reopen a landmark local pub after a four-year closure.

The £550,000 investment will transform The Three Crowns at Ashurst Wood, near East Grinstead, into a great quality pub serving outstanding food, bringing to an end residents’ concerns for its future after its closure in 2017. The project by Heineken-owned Star Pubs & Bars and new licensee Stephanie Everett starts in mid December. The Three Crowns is scheduled to open by early March, creating 20 new jobs.

The makeover will carefully renovate the outside of the imposing 1930s pub, enhancing the entrance to Ashurst Wood. It will landscape the large sunny garden with a new terrace, seating for 180 people and festoon lighting. A secret secluded patio surrounded by shrubs will be reinstated.

The inside work will completely upgrade the pub throughout, whilst retaining its character and original features, such as an open fire and flagstone floors. The traditional but stylish redesign will incorporate a heritage colour scheme, wood panelling and leather upholstery. The Three Crowns will boast a spacious bar for those wanting to enjoy drinks and socialising, as well as a 50-seater dining area. New patio doors will open onto the terrace, and two new windows will bring additional light flooding in. Other improvements include new toilets and a kitchen refit.

Stephanie – a chef who is currently working at Raymond Blanc’s Brasserie Blanc – plans to make food a focal point of The Three Crowns. Dishes will be freshly made from scratch using locally sourced ingredients wherever possible, and the menu will change with the seasons. To complement the food, The Three Crowns will have a wide selection of premium beers, wines and spirits, and barista-style coffee will be served throughout the day. With quality a priority, Stephanie is overhauling the cellar, too, installing state-of-the-art dispense equipment to ensure consistently perfect pints.

Whilst The Three Crowns dates back to the 1930s, it is believed that a pub has been on the plot since 1725. Stephanie is keen to celebrate The Three Crowns’ history and to hear from anyone who knows more about its past. She is also trying to solve the mystery of the name and the purpose of an old piece of machinery discovered on site, which will be given pride of place in the revamped pub.

Says Stephanie: “I’ve worked in hospitality for many years; it’s a dream come true to be taking on such a lovely old pub. Local residents have been desperate for The Three Crowns to reopen. I want to make it an asset to the village and a pub they can be proud of once again.”

Adds Star Pubs & Bars’ area manager Sarah Bramley: “We’re delighted to be finally breaking ground on the refurbishment of The Three Crowns. Our plans were delayed by the pandemic, and we’ll be working flat out to reopen the doors as soon as possible. With Stephanie at the helm, The Three Crowns will be a fantastic local as well as a destination dining spot for those from further afield. We’re confident the new-look pub will be worth the wait, and thank the village for their patience.”