A new Wiltshire sports bar owner has been surprised by the huge response that has seen his tables booked up nightly.
Darren Comley, a member of the local pool scene for many years, opened Bombers Sports Bar, at the Ivy Road Industrial Estate in Chippenham, just over a month ago.
The venue, which used to house Woods Sports Bar and the Chippenham Royal Snooker Club, reopened with nine pool tables and one snooker table following a refurbishment and has since drawn large crowds.
Mr Comley, who previously owned a tyre and exhaust company before taking on the challenge of opening the bar, was thrilled with the response.
He said: “We’ve had big crowds in all the time and the tables have been fully booked most nights, it’s been a lot busier than I thought it was going to be.
“It’s a good start at the minute, I’ve been very happy with the response of the local community and everyone who’s been in loves it.”
The Wroughton native believes this early success is down to the bar filling a gap in the market for local snooker and pool players.
He added: “There’s nothing else for youngsters to do in Chippenham, it’s good to get them off the street and keep them happy.
“I’ve had people coming from as far as Melksham, Bath, and Calne because we’ve got quality tables and there aren’t many of them about in this area.”
When the bar first opened it was met with a positive reaction from locals on social media who were excited for the venue to return, after it was closed by previous owners around a year ago.
Mr Comley told this paper he was left in disbelief after being inundated with over a hundred messages of support.
Moving forward, he still has big plans to continue improving the building but says the extent of these will depend on discussions with the landlord.
A huge amount of work has already gone into renovating the unit, which was reportedly “derelict” just months ago.
Ahead of the opening day on November 11, 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.”
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