Harden's survey result
Summary
“In the heart of Chichester”, Nick Sutherland’s “consistently good” and “reasonably priced” restaurant “with conservatory and garden rooms” is “perfect for pre-theatre dining”. It has a “slightly old-fashioned ambience”, as the bow-fronted Georgian premises it occupies previously housed a well-known wine merchant of the same name.
Summary
Nick Sutherland’s bar/restaurant-with-rooms in a bow-fronted Georgian house close to the cathedral offers a “great pre-theatre menu, just right for Chichester”, and a “beautiful garden and terrace”. The name was retained in reference to the premises’ well-known previous occupant, the oldest wine merchant in Sussex.
For 33 years we've been curating reviews of the UK's most notable restaurant. In a typical year, diners submit over 50,000 reviews to create the most authoritative restaurant guide in the UK. Each year, the guide is re-written from scratch based on this survey (although for the 2021 edition, reviews are little changed from 2020 as no survey could run for that year).
Have you eaten at Purchases Restaurant?
31 North Street, Chichester, PO19 1LX
Purchases Restaurant Restaurant Diner Reviews
"This restaurant seems to have unacceptable communication issues and absolutely terrible customer service which totally ruined our evening. As someone making a booking with a Guide Dog the restaurant were sent a special request as part of that procedure. (A table next to a wall and away from any entrance or exit was requested so the dog could settle out of the way of everyone.) This is usual and never a problem with any other restaurants / pubs / hotels etc. Our booking was confirmed by email and was nearly a month before the booking date. Then we received a phone call a week before the booking when the special request was again checked and confirmed. Then a few days before the booking we received a phone checking we still wanted the booking. Once again the special request was mentioned and confirmed. Then on the day, two hours before the booking we phoned the restaurant to check all was okay and we were reassured by them. Once again the special request was checked. Then 15mins before our booking we received a phone call asking if we were still coming as we were late. We were not but we reiterated our special request then too. When we arrived we were taken to a back room and given a table not next to a wall, right next to the entrance to the room which both public and staff use, and one very close indeed to another table. The staff fussed around, leaving us standing in the middle of the restaurant, with several different staff informing us that was "all they had", offering us the chance to sit and wait for they "didn't know how long" in an outdoor terrace (in February!). Absolutely no kindness was shown or reasonable apology for an inappropriate table. We were offered a credit note for drinks at another visit but since we are from Worcestershire and after our insensitive treatment this was pointless and felt like a way of being fobbed off. We were very disappointed indeed having had the restaurant recommended for our holiday in the Chichester area. However The Ivy around the corner, despite turning up without a booking, were sympathetically outstanding in their welcoming, staff politeness and kindness, accommodating the dog and serving very good food. Needless to say we would not recommend Purchases to anyone."
"Ideal for pre theatre meals. Conservatory and Garden for summer months. Good food and pleasant service in building which once housed the oldest wine merchants in Sussex."
31 North Street, Chichester, PO19 1LX
Opening hours
| Monday | CLOSED |
| Tuesday | 12 pm‑2:30 pm, 5:30 pm‑9 pm |
| Wednesday | 12 pm‑2:30 pm, 5:30 pm‑9 pm |
| Thursday | 12 pm‑2:30 pm, 5:30 pm‑9 pm |
| Friday | 12 pm‑2:30 pm, 5:30 pm‑9 pm |
| Saturday | 12 pm‑2:30 pm, 5:30 pm‑9 pm |
| Sunday | 12 pm‑3 pm |
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