Bar launched in old chapel (From The Wiltshire Gazette and Herald)

Bar launched in old chapel

AWARD-WINNING entrepreneurs Gary Moules and Philip Taws celebrated the opening of their new bar in a 200-year-old former chapel last week.

Two hundred friends, family and workers who had been involved in transforming the chapel took part in the giant launch party.

Mr Moules, 40, from Box, said: "It was a landmark event for Corsham. It's been a long time coming and the only way to describe the emotion is relief."

The two men invested a six-figure sum into the 200-year-old chapel opposite Somerfield, on Newlands Road. And they scooped £1,000 prize money when they won the North Wiltshire New Business Competition.

Mr Moules said that finishing the work on the Grade II listed building in time for Thursday was a huge relief. Among the obstacles they surmounted were planning permission and fire regulations.

Now the ten members of staff are ready to take orders for teas, coffees, wine and tasty snacks.

"Eighty-five per cent is the original vision we planned the rest is better," said Mr Moules.