Perch owner to transform Worthing's Bayside Social into pizzeria

Alex Coombes, owner of restaurant and café brand Perch, which includes sites in Lancing, Worthing and Eastbourne, has taken over Worthing’s Bayside Social and wants to turn it into a pizza restaurant.

Bayside Social closed on April 15, almost two years since it was opened by MasterChef winner Kenny Tutt and his wife Lucy.

The two owners of the restaurant, which is on Worthing seafront east of the pier, said that “rising costs” and the “long-lasting effects of Covid on hospitality businesses” is behind their closure.

They will be focusing on their other business Pitch, also in the town, and said they are excited for the future.

Mr Coombes has wasted no time in starting the building’s refurbishment and hopes to open the business in June.

Alex Coombes and his general manager team for Perch (Image: Perch)

“We took possession of it late last week and we’ve started making changes already,” he said.

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“We’ve got a plan for the next few weeks in terms of redecoration, new furniture, a new kitchen and we’re in the process of recruiting.

“We want it to be warmer on the inside, a bit more approachable.

“It will be colourful and warm.

The restaurant was formerly owned by Kenny Tutt (Image: The Argus)

“We want to get it open for the summer and enjoy the beach for what it is.

“We’ll be opening softly to start with and then we’ll move onto delivery and takeaway later on.

“The idea is to be open from 9am to 9pm seven days a week, 364 days a year."

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Around 25 to 35 jobs could be created by the new restaurant.

“It will be a neighbourhood every day pizzeria,” he said.

“We’ll still be serving breakfast there as well.

“It’s an every day neighbourhood pizzeria.

“We’re trying to be approachable with the price and speed of service.

“We want to be family friendly.”

“The location is fantastic.

“We really like Worthing.

“We think that area of Worthing is under served.”

Perch on the Pier in Worthing recently celebrated a year of business (Image: Perch on the Pier)

“We’re mega excited about it and it’s nice to be doing something slightly different to our other sites.

“It’s going to be really cool to come down to the beach and have a pizza.

“We hope people enjoy it.”