The North Star: A Pub with a Purpose in Brighton

Feb 2026

Brighton has no shortage of pubs, but The North Star arrives with something a little different behind it.

Created by Brighton charity Team Domenica, the venue combines the feel of a proper neighbourhood pub with a mission that runs deeper. The organisation works to help young people with learning disabilities and autism move into meaningful employment - and at The North Star, that work becomes part of the everyday life of the pub.

Crucially, it never feels like a training centre with a bar attached. Instead, the pub has been designed first and foremost as a place locals will genuinely want to spend time - whether that’s for a relaxed pint, dinner with friends, or a Sunday roast.

Inside, the space nods to Brighton’s past. The building was once home to the Brighton Herald newspaper, and the interiors draw inspiration from the era of Brighton Rock, blending vintage character with a relaxed, welcoming atmosphere. The kitchen leans into comforting pub classics - think ploughman’s platters, fish and chips, and sausage and mash.

Upstairs is where the project's deeper purpose comes into focus. Here, Team Domenica is creating a bespoke education centre for its candidates. In addition to the education programme, they will also learn hospitality skills in the real working environment of the pub, from food preparation to front-of-house service. The aim is simple but powerful: building confidence, experience and pathways into long-term employment.

Since launching in 2016, Team Domenica has helped many young people across Sussex gain the skills needed to enter the workforce - many moving into paid roles in hospitality and beyond.

When we visited, what stood out most was the warmth of the team and the clear passion behind the project. The atmosphere is genuine and welcoming, and it’s obvious that both the pub and the training programme are things the staff care deeply about.