Victory call for Bugle campaigners
VILLAGERS toasted their success after a campaign to reopen a pub, which lasted nearly four years, achieved its goal.
Not a single pint had been pulled at The Bugle Inn, Twyford, since it was fenced off suddenly in July 2004.
But the drought was broken on Saturday, March 22, when new owners, Richard Yonwin and Lenny Carr-Roberts, reopened the venue.
Its previous owners, Inntown Pub Company, decided to shut the 19th century inn a few months after buying the property.
The closure left Twyford with only one pub, The Phoenix Inn at High Street.
Inntown initially asked to bulldoze The Bugle Inn, which is part of the village's conservation area, and replace it with 10 homes.
The plan never came to fruition, but the firm later secured permission to build four houses on the car park while retaining the pub.
Villagers, upset by its closure, formed Save The Bugle Action Group to campaign for it to reopen.
Despite their continued efforts, the bar remained mothballed until a few months ago when the venue changed hands.
Business partners Mr Yonwin and Mr Carr-Roberts began a major refit, including a new kitchen worth around £60,000.
Despite losing some of the car park to the new homes, they have been able to provide 24 spaces for motorists.
Mr Carr-Roberts, who used to be a manager at the De Vere hotel group, plans to create a daily changing menu using ingredients from Hampshire producers.
He added: "The team has done really well, and we've been busy ever since we opened, and the organic food is going down well."
Around 100 villagers gathered at venue earlier this evening (Wednesday, March 26) to officially celebrate their victory in reopening the pub.
Save The Bugle Action Group spokesman, Rod Graham, who lives in the village, was among those at the cheerful and bustling event.
"We're obviously delighted that the pub is open, and that so many people have started to frequent the pub.
"I'm really confident that the new landlord and landlady are going to thrive here, and when word gets around about the place, I'm sure it will pick up some passing trade," he said.
11:05pm Wednesday 26th March 2008
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