The Coffee shop at Steyne Gardens

The Methodist church in the centre of town is now called Cornerstone. The Circuit have joined together to create a coffee shop beside Steyne Gardens in the church entry. Come in for a light lunch or coffee while you are shopping in town.

Open: Mondays 10 a.m.- 12 a.m.

 Tuesday - Saturday 10a.m. - 2 p.m.

We would like to open more but at present we don’t have enough volunteers. If you have a couple of hours to spare please contact Joy Barnes 01903 - 691867. There is a rota system where you can sign up for a 2-hour slot as you have time.

Why start a coffee shop at Cornerstone ?

     Though we pride ourselves on the standard of service we offer, the hope for this coffee shop is not centred in competing with existing cafes in the area or filling a gap in the market. The primary aim is to revive interest and commitment in Cornerstone Methodist Church. Many churches in Worthing have closed recently - or face closure - so it is imperative that every effort is made to strengthen the position of this central Methodist place of worship. There is no large catchment area for the church to attract new members as so many of its neighbours are businesses and hotels, therefore it needs to find a new role to serve the people around it.

The coffee shop was started up last autumn, 2006, and is gradually establishing itself for local people and incomers as a welcoming place to drop in after shopping or attending to other business in the town. It is surprising how many people catch the bus from Brighton and turn from the bus stop in to our door. They like the quieter feel of Worthing shops and sustain themselves with tea and cake before starting their day.

There are retired people who use their free bus pass as a way of exploring Sussex. They come to spend the day in Worthing and before they start looking around there is a good cup of tea or lunch (very reasonably priced) for them at Cornerstone. Other customers who attend churches in the area call in to offer support and express appreciation of the venture.

Residents of local hostels and homes find our coffee shop a definite social focus for the day. One visitor down on his luck remarked, “Here I feel safe”, and talking with him this turned out to be literally true. He and his partner appeared to be homeless and wandering the south coast after painful experiences on the streets of Bristol. He was eager to reach Brighton by nightfall and this was a brief respite for them. Customers relax in the church’s calm atmosphere and conversations develop whilst acquaintances are made.

At present it does seem difficult to put all these different customers’ needs together and understand what the coffee shop is really for. Harder still to predict what will happen next. There are plans for better facilities and even for a Fairtrade shop. We hope more ventures can be brought together on this site so that Cornerstone can be once again the centre of Methodist worship in the area.