Over 200 years ago, construction began on a chapel for the new resort of Worthing. The chapel was built by Ambrose Cartwright, with the exterior and interior designed by John Rebecca and Charles Hide respectively. Charles chose a Greek revival style while John fashioned the exterior with distinctive yellow bricks made from the blue clay of Worthing Common. The town quickly grew, attracting numerous renowned and wealthy individuals to the area. The chapel was a popular destination and in spring 1893, an application was submitted to expand the building. After work was completed, the chapel became St. Paul’s Church, Worthing’s first Anglican Church. The prominent building received many acclaimed visitors including Jane Austen, Oscar Wilde, and Harold Pinter. References to St. Paul’s and Worthing can be found within their work. Queen Charlotte, wife of King George III, presented the church with the Royal Coat of Arms for its demonstration of generosity towards her daughters when they visited the town. The Royal Coat of Arms has since been restored and is on display in The Venue. In June 1944, the building played a significant role in the D-Day Normandy Landings when hundreds of Canadian soldiers assembled inside the church to receive their instructions prior to crossing the channel. After years of neglect, the new owners have invested time and money to restore the historical building. The Venue is dedicated to preserving the building and establishing the best live music venue on the South Coast. The space is sought after by concert promoters, film and television companies, and event organisers for corporate events, parties, launches, award ceremonies, and wedding receptions. Sue Nye, an enthusiastic visitor, shares, “Amazing place! The bands and shows are excellent and well worth booking a ticket for. I’ve since found out that it’s run by two local people, who not only hold down full-time jobs but have taken the Venue on to bring amazing bands, shows, and markets for local people and visitors to Worthing. They are working extremely hard to improve everything about the Venue.” The stunning building is the perfect film location for industry professionals with a stone step entrance ideal for period dramas. Many of the original features remain such as the beautiful windows, exterior and interior pillars, balustrade, and the Royal Coat of Arms. The Venue has a large supply of lighting and grips available for rental and an abundance of qualified technicians and electricians to assist in production. For music videos, the space has become the location of choice for its architectural wonders and impressive stage area. With high-definition audio and smart lighting control systems, The Venue can produce a live concert effect that translates beautifully to film. Since lockdown, the business has introduced live streaming options which give wider audiences the opportunity to tune in and pay-per-view. In the coming year, The Venue will host several live music events and tribute shows such as The George Harrison Project, Voodoo Room, Moonage, and Total Rex. Over the Christmas period, the space will feature Oviation, Worthing’s favourite vocal group, and Cloudbusting, a renowned Kate Bush tribute band. The prestigious venue also hosts the Worthing Portrait Artist of the Year competition, where a team of judges recognise the marvellous work of local artists. The Venue is fast becoming one of the leading live music venues in the country. Its rich history and beautiful architecture provide the perfect setting for a wide range of events and it has proven popular with promoters, event organisers, and television and film companies. The Venue has earned a stellar reputation amongst locals and visitors, and the owners are excited to reach new audiences with digital innovations. We cannot wait to see what exciting developments The Venue has in store for its returning customers and new visitors. The Venue has received our award for this year’s Best Live Music Venue - West Sussex. Contact: Howard Kirk Company: The Venue Based in Worthing, West Sussex, The Venue is the South Coast’s premier music venue and entertainment space. The 500-capacity space resides in a beautiful Grade 2 listed building, originally constructed in 1808 and noted by English Heritage as a building of historical significance. Following a £2 million refurbishment, The Venue is now one of the UK’s leading live music venues. The Venue has received a Southern Enterprise Award for this year’s Best Live Music Venue - West Sussex. Best Live Music Venue 2023 - West Sussex
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