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  • "We have been to the Olive Tree on a number of occasions in the past, and have always been pleased with the food and service. The last time, about three weeks ago was very disappointing, the food being well below par. I am not surprised it has closed. We may try the new menu at some time, but not in the near future."
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Diners in for treats at bistro

3:00pm Wednesday 11th April 2012 in Calne

Calne's popular restaurant The Olive Tree has closed and been replaced by Stones cafe bar and bistro.

The Olive Tree, an Italian restaurant, had been popular for more than three years but owner Rob Merrick decided it was time for a change.

Mr Merrick, who also runs Patch Of Blue tea rooms, in Calne, and Salad Select, in Chippenham, said: “We have had brilliant customers at The Olive Tree over the past three years and I hope that will continue.

“But we wanted to be able to offer a bigger range on the menu – with it just being an Italian before, we could only focus on that.

“We want to be able to adapt to the talents of the staff we have.

“And in this climate you need to have a change sometimes to keep the public interested.”

The rebranded Stones will have two focuses. In the daytime it will offer English and Continental breakfasts, tea and coffee and a light lunch menu.

In the evening there will be cocktails, tapas and a full dinner menu.

Mr Merrick, who is from Yorkshire but has lived in Calne for seven years, said: “We will be open seven days a week now, instead of five.

“In the day we will offer similar to the Patch Of Blue, with cakes and coffees and will have a full cafe range.

“Then from 4pm there will be tapas and cocktails and from 6pm there will be a full bistro menu.

“All the food will be sourced from a 30-mile radius, using local producers.”

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