A popular town centre pub in Devizes will reopen under new management next month after two closures in a year.
The Crown, on New Park Street near Devizes Market Place, will soon be open to the public again with new landlords Martin and Julie Crane set to take control.
The Wadworth owned pub was shut for nine months in 2022 before briefly reopening in December under the previous tenant, Robert Carter, who fully refurbished the venue.
Despite the extensive renovations, The Crown was on the market again just several months later but has now been snapped up by the Cranes.
Mr Crane told this paper he is excited to get into his new pub and revive its fortunes.
He said: “We’re feeling pretty good about the new pub. The size is good more than anything else, it’s got a big garden and it’s in a good location, not too far from the canal.
“We just want to get it open again and take it from there, it might not be as busy as it was before Covid but we’re hoping to get it up to about 75 per cent of that.”
The Cranes will arrive in Devizes with a wealth of experience managing pubs across the county.
Most recently, they spent almost a decade running The Pheasant in Salisbury, where they have lived on and off for the last 15 years.
In total the pair have 30 years’ worth of experience in the pub trade and spent time at the Steam Railway Co pub in Old Town, Swindon.
Mr Crane believes this experience will give them the edge required to bring success to The Crown.
He added: “We have been running pubs for 30 years both short term and long term.
“That experience is a positive and we’ve done so many pubs that we have a lot of knowledge, and we know what we’re doing on the food side too.
“It’s going to be good quality beer and food, and a nice friendly environment.”
Under the new management, The Crown will serve traditional pub food including roast dinners, pies and steaks.
Mr Crane is also hoping to take advantage of the venue’s large outdoor seating area, which boasts a bar and kitchen.
This may include street food served from mobile vans in the future, while there are also plans to reintroduce live music, pub quizzes and skittles matches.
The target opening date is June 1, although Mr Crane added this may change.
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