A new pool and snooker bar is set to open in a Wiltshire town after months of refurbishment.
Woods Sports Bar at the Ivy Road Industrial Estate in Chippenham closed around a year ago, leaving a hole in the area for local pool and snooker players.
But now the unit is set to reopen as Bombers Sports Bar, a new venture owned by Darren Comley, on Saturday, November 11.
Mr Comley, a former tyre and exhaust company owner who has been in the local pool scene for many years, is confident that the new bar will fill a gap in the market and attract large crowds.
The Wroughton native said: “This was the challenge I wanted to take on, I can see a lot of people being here because I’m quite well known in the area and in Swindon.
“You’ve got nothing around this area, you have to go to Westbury or Bristol to play and the quality of my tables is the best you can get.”
Many snooker and pool clubs throughout the country have closed in recent years, but Mr Comley is confident the demand for the games locally will see the bar thrive. The building previously housed the Chippenham Royal Snooker Club after it moved from the Palace building on Station Hill.
He added: “The support is still there but the rent and the price of electric have killed everyone off, it’s the same as any trade.
“I’m hoping I can survive, I don’t think it will be a problem but you never know, I think it will work because there’s not a lot of other options around here.
“There’s a gap in the market because I’ve had messages from over a hundred people asking when it’s opening, I just can’t believe it.”
Bombers’ will be open from 1pm on Saturday and the milestone marks months of hard work for the new team.
Mr Comley added: “It took me six months to get it and it was derelict when I moved in, but it’s had a full refurbishment.
“It’s been very stressful, every time you touch something you find another issue you need to rip out and start again, but it’s getting there and it’s good now.
“We’re ready to open now but we’re still adding lots of signage and bits and pieces.”
The club will initially boast nine pool tables and one snooker table, but Mr Comley added that there are potential plans for more snooker tables to be added.
The bar will be fully stocked and has eight different beers and ciders on tap.
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