Faces of cafe and pub owners helping bring Sussex town back to life

Newhaven, a town with a “growing reputation”, has had a number of new eateries open this year.

The Seaford Piggery has moved into The Ship in the High Street and is now offering hog roasts, while Harvey’s pub The Bridge Inn has reopened with a traditional menu and cocktails.

Staff at The Bridge Inn in Newhaven (Image: Phil Steere (Harvey’s Brewery))

Mamoosh Riverside has opened a deli, cafe and takeaway at the Marine Workshops and Drink and Dine Café Lounge is open for breakfast, lunch, tapas and drinks in the High Street.

Mamoosh Riverside’s new café and deli was joined by Lewes brewery Abyss setting up a pop-up at The Sidings this summer.

Einat Chalmers, Mamoosh Bakery and Mamoosh Riverside founder, said: “This expansion, a sister company to our thriving bakery, was a strategic move. The deli required a larger space to meet the increasing demand.

“Since our expansion to the riverside venue in June, we have been delighted by the positive response and the growth in our trade.”

Historic Harvey’s pub The Bridge reopened in Newhaven High Street and has been taken over by the team behind The Dorset in Lewes and Dinkum in Polegate.   

Originally built in the 18th century, this Georgian residence housed King Louis Philippe of France and Queen Marie Amelie after they fled during the French revolution.

The pub has launched its food menu which includes dishes such as fish and chips, burgers as well as vegetarian options such as battered halloumi.

READ MORE: Inside Sussex town coming back to life as beach closed for 16 years could reopen

Vicki Skippings took over running The Ship in the High Street this summer with Jason Matthews, who needed a bigger space to meet demand for the established takeaway The Seaford Piggery.

They are working on reopening the function room, have decorated and have introduced live music at the weekends. The kitchen is offering dishes such as Yorkshire pudding wraps and dessert waffles.

The entrance to Mamoosh (Image: Fine Marketing)

Plans for the future include converting the third floor into a three-bed holiday apartment.

Vicki said: “I think the rebranding and change in business here at the Ship, the reopening of The Bridge and the Abyss pop-up can only bring more people into the town centre.

“The three pubs in the town centre, The Bridge, The White Hart and us in The Ship all have different business models and different target audiences. Providing something for everyone is a massive win for the town.”

Further up the High Street, the newly renovated Drink and Dine Café Lounge is open every day from 9am until late serving coffees and breakfasts – including its signature French toast.

Owner Lucie Dolinek said: "We wanted to deliver something that every high street deserves, but Newhaven didn't yet have. The idea of a small, independent, family-run business is what we set out to do."

Corinne Day, programme director at Newhaven Enterprise Zone said: “Newhaven has been growing its reputation as a destination with a series of art exhibitions and a growing pub and café scene will only enhance the visitor experience, as we work hard to achieve our ambition of transforming Newhaven into a major contributor to the Sussex economy by 2030.”