The Hastings Project Opens Up
HARRY HAWKINS
On a balmy (well, balmy for March) afternoon, a new watering hole for St Leonards opened its doors for the first time.
It’s 5pm and the pub is full (I’m told there was a queue from 4pm at the doors), and customers are supping on Radlers, dark milds, IPAs and lagers all brewed by the team. I confess I haven’t tried many before, but their dark mild is nutty, deliciously dark and moreish.
This pub is the Prince of Wales, a dark green building on the corner of Western Road, and it has been reopened by The Hastings Project after two years of vacancy.
This is the first establishment run by the organisation, though their beers has been available in many local pubs.
The Hastings Project has been running for close to four years, with their first brew generating funds for the Refugee Buddy Project in June 2022. Their beers have helped fundraise for groups such as Hastings Voluntary Action, Little Gate Farm and Hastings WRAS (Wildlife Rescue and Ambulance Service), but the aim has been to have a physical venue to create more opportunities for interaction. The funding for the renovation of the pub has been raised through an ingenious crowdfunding programme, where donated funds entitle the donor to 1.5x the value in Hastings Project beers.
Talking to one of the Project’s founders, Robbie, it is clear that the concept of circular economy is a focus, whether it’s the offering of Cask Marque and Cicerone training for the Prince of Wales’ staff, or the way that the pub will run as a space for charities and community organisations on Mondays and Tuesdays. There will also be ‘Pints for Purpose’ events – charity showcases for organisations to explain the work they do. The next aim for the Hastings Project is to have a dedicated independent brewery.
The Prince of Wales is open from Wednesday to Sunday 12pm-10pm (Fri-Sat 12pm-11pm)
If you have a charity or organisation and would like to enquire about working with The Hastings Project, contact [email protected]
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