Bognor referendum: voters ready to flock to ... the pub

The Friary Arms is being used as a polling station in the important town poll on Wednesday, June 4.

A total of 2,137 voters in part of the town's Hotham ward can go along to the polling booths in the Shripney Road hostelry.

They are being sited in the garden room, more commonly used for darts, in the pub's rear garden.

It is believed to be the first time a pub has been used for voting around central Bognor.

Licensee Neil Hoyland said: "I don't have a problem at all using the pub to cast votes.

"We'll do anything to help the local community. That's what we are about as a community pub. We want to look after the people around here and make their life easier.

"Being able to cast their votes here will save them a longer journey, possibly by taxi, to go somewhere else to vote."

The pub was chosen by Arun District Council's democratic services staff as an alternative to the usual assembly hall at the University of Chichester campus.

This has been ruled out because it is being used for students to take exams.

The vote will come just under six weeks since Mr Hoyland and his partner, Dee-Anne Downham, moved into the Friary Arms.

They moved from running a pub in Chesterfield. Both their fathers are keen on fishing and close to retirement, prompting them to look for a pub along the south coast.

Ms Downham (27), who grew up in South London, knew Bognor from childhood holidays and she and Mr Hoyland (38) were eager to take on the Friary Arms.

They are also familiar with coastal businesses, having worked in pubs in Spain and Italy among other European countries. "We missed the sea and it's nice to know we are now close by it," he said.

They have set about creating a community spirit at the Friary Arms, with good-quality refreshments.

Mr Hoyland said they were convinced such local pubs had a future in spite of much doom and gloom nationally about their survival.

"What I think is happening is that the people who went into pubs to make a nice business and serve their community are the ones who will survive. It's all about having a nice atmosphere where families feel safe to come."

All the other polling stations around Bognor will be the same next Wednesday as in previous elections. They will be open between 4pm and 9pm.

Voting is open to 16,257 electors in the Pevensey, Hotham, Marine and Orchard wards.

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