Lewes Theatre Club

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Falstaff Bar Brief Histoy

In the late sixties, when Lewes Theatre Club was still owned by Lewes Little Theatre Ltd, a company guarantee and directed by the founder the rev. Kenneth Rawlin, the Management committee discussed animatedly but divisively the creation of a bar as part of the ongoing building development. Urged by the clubs director, Anthony Jenner, managing directory of Harvey’s brewery, Timothy Frost, Join Proprietor of the official club trade newspaper, Club Mirror, and club mirrors legal editor, Nicholas Betteridge, the strong temperance lobby in the committee was out voted and agreement reached to create a separate "registered club" (owned by members) and trading below the current VAT rate.

The Falstaff club so named in recognition of the theatres reputation for Shakespeare opened for the 1970/71 season. The hanging sign above the door was painted by John Fisher. The bar itself was acquired by Anthony Jenner from the sale of a Horsham restaurant’s closing down sale/ hence following Anthony’s death it was named the "Anthony Jenner" bar.

After the first year’s trading, the club received a ten-yea registration certificate, the first of three, and continuing until the passing of the 2005 licensing act. Initially all Theatre Club members qualified as Falstaff Club members by 6 pence of their membership fee, to cover their use of the bar. Drinks could only be consumed in the bar during those early days, but that restriction was extended to allow alcohol to be taken into the foyer in recent years.

During its thirty five years existence the club has been managed skilfully and economically. With few overheads, a trading profit margin of a minimum of 40% enables the club to make annual donations to the theatre club. These now total in excess of £160,000. From its inception the bar committee, most of whom are long serving has been chaired by Timothy Frost.