Inside Worthing's new food hall which opened in former Beales site

Forest Row in Liverpool Road, Worthing, has opened in the former Beales site on the side facing into the Montague Centre with a wide variety of food on offer.

Last night it held a meet and greet, one of a series of soft launch events the venue has had over the last couple of weeks.

People can grab food from Jim Jams Greek, Pascal’s Fish and Chips, The Beef Guy, Brian’s Soul Food Shack and Pizza Pasta and have a drink at the venue’s two bars run by Block Bar.

There are five food vendors (Image: The Argus)

Vendors said the venture has gone “very well so far”.

Block Bar owner Ben Gill, who has another site in Brighton, said he was very excited to be a part of the new hall.

Read more: Plans revealed to transform long-dormant department store building

Block Bar owner Ben Gill (Image: The Argus)

“Worthing is really up and coming,” he said.

“There’s a lot of investment in Worthing and we wanted to be a part of it.

“It felt right and we’re really happy to be here.

“The vibe seems to be really good and it will grow.”

Block Bar (Image: The Argus)

Worthing town crier Bob Smytherman said the food hall was “absolutely fantastic” and said it would be great for the town’s economy.

Worthing town crier Bob Smytherman (Image: The Argus)

Work started to redevelop the long vacant unit last summer with the opening date pushed back several times due to delays in the building's conversion.

Simon Darcy-Abbot, owner of Forest Row, said he took design inspiration from other halls he had visited.

People can get a drink at the venue's two bars (Image: The Argus)

“When we decided to embark on this project, I knew exactly what I wanted in a venue,” he said.

There's wide range of food on offer (Image: The Argus)

“I yearned for a space that would evoke the same feelings I experienced whilst exploring hidden gem venues in Camden, London, with the welcoming atmosphere of my favourite restaurants in Ibiza.

“Trading city life for a more rural existence, I have come to cherish the serenity of walking through the fields and woods of Ashurst. I envisioned a venue that would offer plenty of natural materials, greenery, and open space, complemented by the warm, dusky sunlight that bathes the area.

“Thus, I drew inspiration from the forested landscape of the surrounding area and Forest Row was born.”