Today we opened the doors to The North Star – a pioneering pub training young people with learning disabilities and autism for employment, and beyond.

Located beside the Royal Pavilion, The North Star is a stylish pub serving honest and flavourful dishes, a variety of premium drinks, and a warm welcome. Most importantly, it offers real-world training that helps young people build confidence, skills and independence. To get a better look at our spectacular new menu, designed by Head Chef Matthew Hudson-Ward, click here.

Pubs are part of the fabric of British society. What better place for young people with learning disabilities to be visible, valued and celebrated? We want employers to see our candidates thriving in this environment and open their minds – and doors – to opportunity.

Team Domenica Founder and Chairman, Rosa Monckton MBE

The vision: a guiding light for inclusion

Named after the star that offers direction and stability, The North Star reflects our mission to guide young people into the workplace.

Team Domenica Trustee, Gavin George, who is the Co-Founder and former CEO of The Laine Pub Company, helped shape the concept. He says: “We wanted a warm and elevated space that our candidates and city can be proud of. The North Star will provide the highest standard of food, drink and service, all delivered by our young people.”

Candidates begin their training in the new year, supported by our hospitality team and Training Mentors. All profits from The North Star go straight back to Team Domenica. This – paired with our delicious menu, coffee and drinks – means that the pub will not only have a huge social impact, but it will become a true landmark in Brighton & Hove.

More than a pub, Pavilion Buildings as a pioneering training centre

Above The North Star, we are building a dedicated education and employment centre. It will bring our provision under one roof, combining classroom learning, enrichment and hands-on training.

In the UK, just 4.8% of people with learning disabilities are in paid work (NHS Digital, 2024); Team Domenica are here to change this. Over the past decade, 80% of candidates have gained paid work through our Supported Internship Programme and 86% have remained in paid work for over two years  – a testament to our life-changing model.

With the help of our programmes, candidates have gone on to secure jobs in hospitality, retail, administration, childcare, customer service, and more. Over 60 Sussex businesses support our mission, by offering supported work experience, internships and paid work. This includes businesses like Hilton who have provided vital workplace opportunities, as well as funding to the renovation of The North Star via the Hilton UK Foundation.

We are now making a final fundraising push to complete the training centre above the pub. If you would like to support this important work, please click here.