THE opening night of refurbished Bradford on Avon pub The Castle Inn was a roaring success this week, despite a last-minute emergency.

The pub, which has undergone a complete facelift in recent months, had its new chef walk out just hours before it opened its doors to customers on Monday.

Pierre Woodford, formerly manager of Terence Conran's Bibendum restaurant in London and the new manager at The Castle Inn, said: "He just decided it wasn't for him and he couldn't work the way we wanted him to so he left.

"We battled on through and it was a great night - it exceeded all our expectations. It was packed - there was a queue from the bar to the front door and everyone seemed really positive about it."

The night went so well for some that when the bar staff were locking up they found one reveller tucked away in a corner of the bar fast asleep.

The pub was snapped up by a group of successful bar owners from Bristol, called Flatcappers Ltd, last October and they have kept an online diary, or blog, of their restoration of The Castle.

Inside, the Georgian pub on Mount Pleasant now has a completely new look, having been decorated with an elegant mix of reclaimed furniture and fittings.

An old office and the former ladies toilets have been converted to make up part of the large ground floor bar area and there is a patio and garden at the back where you can sit and enjoy views across the town.

Returning the pub to its original Georgian glory was a main priority for the team, who even hunted down vintage urinals for the men's toilets.

Behind the bar, beers on tap include Barbury Castle (3.9 per cent), Tanked Up (5 per cent), Hidden Spring (4.5 per cent) and Flatcapper Ale (4.3 per cent).

There is also Goodness Stout and cider from Stowford Press along with a wide selection of wines.

The menu features traditional fare such as a full English breakfast, ploughman's, burgers and fish and chips.

Diners wanting a more unusual taste experience can try delights such as confit of duck and chickpea fritters with roasted red onion and ciabatta.

Puddings include walnut and treacle tart and Old English syllabub with cape gooseberry.

There is also a picking and grazing' menu with roasted peppers and almonds, olives and squid.

Mr Woolford said: "It's about fresh ingredients, simple dishes well executed and inexpensive.

"I want people to be able to come here two or three times a week for food so I don't want them to break the bank. You can come here and spend £10 on a burger and a pint, or more if you want a nice bottle of wine."

FACT FILE:
  • The Castle is on Mount Pleasant, Bradford on Avon
  • Opening hours: Monday-Saturday 9am-10pm for food, bar open until 11pm; Sundays: food served 10am-9.30pm, bar open to 11pm.
  • Call (01225) 865657