The new landlord at a town centre pub says the venue is coping well despite facing significant “challenges” since reopening.

Martin Crane, and his wife Julie, reopened The Crown, on New Park Street in Devizes, on June 1, after the pub was shut for several months.

While Mr Crane told this paper trade had been hit in their first few weeks, due to bad weather and delays with updating opening times online, he is confident the pub is heading in the right direction.

He said: “It’s not been bad, it could be better, and we could be taking a bit more, but we’re getting there and it’s a slow process of letting people know we’re open.

“The bad weather hasn’t helped because we are slightly seasonal, but I think we’ll be ok, and it is picking up.

“A lot of people are happy we’ve reopened and have come up to say thank you, everyone seems happy about that.”

The Wiltshire Gazette and Herald: The Crown

Despite the optimism at the Wadworth-owned pub, the Cranes, who have a combined 30 years in the industry including time at the Steam Railway Co pub in Swindon, admitted that now is a difficult time to work in hospitality.

They say that increases in wine and spirit duties, combined with changes in customer habits, are hurting local pubs.

Mr Crane added: “A lot of people used to go home earlier than they used to, and you’ll find that by 10pm there aren’t many people about in Devizes.

“People’s habits have changed since Covid and there aren’t as many people out as there used to be, some of that is the cost of living because we have to charge more.

“People are struggling to pay their bills so if it costs them £100 for a meal out, they’ll give the pub a miss.

“Another thing is habits have just changed because people are used to drinking at home now, and price increases haven’t helped which is out of our hands and out of Wadworth’s hands.”

The Wiltshire Gazette and Herald:

He is hopeful that a fall in inflation will have a positive effect on consumer habits.

Moving forwards the pub is looking to attract more customers by hosting live music events, while local station Fantasy Radio will also host a show from the venue on August 24.

The Crown has also started serving traditional pub food, including roast dinners, pies and steaks.

Once the weather improves, Mr Crane is also hoping to take advantage of the venue’s large outdoor seating area, which boasts a bar and kitchen.