New-look pub backs our campaign (From Wiltshire Times)

New-look pub backs our campaign

2:00pm Wednesday 3rd December 2008

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THE manager of a Melksham pub has backed the Wiltshire Times and Chippenham News’ campaign to support local businesses and said now is the time for people to get behind traders and beat the credit crunch.

John Stewart, who manages The Tavern in Market Place, said the pub had been thriving in its first week trading as a cafe during the day, as well as a bar at night, following a six figure revamp.

He said: “Now is the time that only the fittest will survive and I think it is a very clever thing for the company that own The Tavern to invest in it at this time.

“I think it is important for people to back local traders too now times are harder and people are struggling.”

Over the past two weeks, the owners of The Tavern, Foundation Inns, defied the credit crunch and invested around £150,000 to ensure the pub holds out as a long term investment and appeals to a wider range of customers.

The revamp means The Tavern offers a lunch menu seven days a week and a dinner menu for six, as well as a wider selection of wines and cocktails and champagne for special occasions.

Mr Stewart said he had heard only positive feedback from customers who were making the most of the new food menu at the cafe bar.

Food is available from 12pm until 3pm and 5pm until 7pm and options include baguette, jacket potatoes, burgers, vegetarian dishes and a children’s menu.

Regular customers and local businesses can also buy discount cards offering up to 20 per cent off food and drink and in addition free WiFi access is available in the hope it will attract even more business people and students.

Mr Stewart said The Tavern had also taken the unusual step of making sure their prices were lower now than before they closed for the revamp.

He said: “We are cheaper now and we are hoping that this will attract even more customers. We appreciate the impact of the credit crunch.

“We still have our late night trade, but we also now have a good day time trade that we hope will continue to grow.

“We will continue to support local good causes including children’s charity Barnardo’s South West and the Wilts & Berks Canal Trust.”

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