Robin Hood was famous for stealing from the rich to give to the poor and now his philosophy is getting a modern twist at a namesake pub.

The Robin Hood, on the corner of Cross Street on the Brighton and Hove border, will soon become what is believed to be Britain's first charity pub.

Every penny of profit will go to a charitable trust.

It is hoped the pub will raise £50,000 each year after it opens on May 28.

Martin Webb, 39, the man behind the project, already has a successful pedigree in running pubs in Brighton and London.

Along with business partner Simon Kirby he set up the C-Side chain which helped create Brighton's trendy image in the Nineties. They sold out in 2001 for £15 million.

Now Mr Webb says he wants to give something back to his home city.

He bought the Robin Hood for £70,000 and plans to spend £50,000 refurbishing it.

It will be a traditional pub with food served all day. Top sporting events will be screened and there will be free internet access.

Mr Webb said: "This will be a professionally run pub with a top manager and good staff, who will be committed to the project and paid the normal rates.

"It will be run like any other pub and we are not going to ram charity down every drinker's throat. But any profit made will go straight to charity.

"I estimate for every £2 spent, 50p will be profit if things go well. A charitable trust will be created made up of individuals from the community who will decide how money will be allocated.

"I will get nothing from this apart from the satisfaction of knowing that money will be going to a worthy cause.

"When I sold C-Side I thought of giving £100,000 to charity but this would have been a one-off payment. This way I can create money each year.

"The money will go to local charities and individuals who have fallen on hard times."

It is not the first time Mr Webb has supported local charities. He paid more than £330,000 for a house in Hove which is now used by the charity Off the Fence as a safe haven for vulnerable youngsters.

Yesterday the organisation presented him with a special award for his outstanding contribution.

Wednesday April 28, 2004