The Crown wins 2018 runner-up after winning the coveted Observer Food Monthly Award for the Best Place to Drink in the UK 2017.

The pub opened four years ago by Andrew Swan and Tess Eaton, having been boarded up for two years prior to the pair stumbling across the site while touring the UK in their campervan.

Tess and Andrew made the move down from Leeds, deciding that Hastings was the perfect place to start a new venture.

Tess said when she originally won the award: “We knew a little while before the news was announced that we’d won the award but had to keep it a secret, which was a bit tricky.

“We were definitely surprised when we found out, as it’s a national award given as a result of votes by readers, which makes it all the more special. “We’re delighted to receive the award and would like to thank everyone who voted for us. It’s fantastic. “This is the first business we’ve owned and we opened in July 2014.”

More than 20 staff work at the venue. Tess and Andrew decided when opening the Crown that they would source as much local staff as possible.

The tables at the Crown were also handmade by Hastings & Bexhill Wood Recycling. The Crown also offers lots of local beers, as well as a selection of ales and ciders from 1066 Country and its surroundings, such as from Romney Marsh Brewery.

All of the work on show is by local artists. Tess said: “The artwork on the walls changes every two months and is available to buy."

Plenty to keep the family happy

With seasonal locally-sourced food on the menu, daily newspapers, dog-friendly, great music, free wifi, pop-up hairdresser, craft workshops, open fires, books and games - there is plenty to keep all the whole family happy.

Tess added: “All of the flowers in the pub come from my mother’s garden on the West Hill.” There has been a pub on the site where the Crown is located since the mid-18th century.

In awarding the pub the runner-up slot, the Observer stated:

Last year’s overall winner offers a strong showing from Sussex and Kentish producers of beer, cider and wine, plus haircuts in the pub, making it a popular tourist pit stop and a place where locals linger.

Very happy to be a runner-up in the Observer Food Monthly Awards 2019 ‘Best Place to Drink’ category. Last year was a fantastic achievement to win

The Brewing Industry in East Sussex

A study, by business finance specialist Rangewell, found that the craft beer industry in East Sussex showed 25 per cent better revenue growth than Greater London. High growth areas include Heathfield, Forest Row, Rye and Bexhill-on-Sea. The single highest revenue growth was 655 per cent, in Heathfield.
East Sussex has the potential to be a leader in the brewing sector, and one of the most popular places to set up a brewing business outside London and other cities. But, just as Sussex Sparkling Wine is competing with champagne on the world stage, the reputation for producing the best quality beer is what will ensure the county can compete nationally and globally.