Duncan and Fleur Lane have opened BN6 Craft Beer and Tap on Keymer Road. The relaxed and spacious interior feels like a cross between a café and a pub. The premise behind the micropub is that you can come and have a drink or two, and chat without the distractions of screens, gaming machines or music. Duncan says: “We’re engaging with people. It’s a convivial space where people can get together and talk about what’s going on in the world.”

At the same time, WiFi is available, and some tables are tucked away to aid quiet reflection. Board games are available too. As well as hot drinks, soft drinks, and gin and wine from Ditchling, BN6 offer an ever-changing choice of Sussex beers and ales from independent brewers. Keeping the focus local helps reduce their carbon footprint, and, of course, they will usually offer one of their own beers too!

Duncan’s family have lived in Hurstpierpoint for the last hundred years. He took over Hurst Brewery about four and a half years ago, after having worked for the previous owners. He says: “They reinvented the old Victorian Hurst Brewery and when they retired, we couldn’t bear to see the tradition disappear, so we bought the business.” After nearly five years, they wanted to expand. Fleur explains: “We felt a micropub would compliment the microbrewery well. It means we meet our customers and deal with lots of nice brewers.” The couple, who live in Hurstpierpoint with their two teenage daughters, snapped up the Costa site. “There’s a garden which we’ll open in spring,” says Fleur, “but it will have limited hours to take local residents into account.”