One of the oldest pubs in Trowbridge will reopen this weekend but the future of another venue in the town remains unclear.
The prospects for the White Swan in Church Street were uncertain after it closed in early January and landlord PeeWee Hunt, who used to run it, took over the running of a bar just two doors down.
The White Swan will be reopened by husband and wife team Keevor and Bee Stacey tomorrow.
Mrs Stacey is a former barmaid at the pub and also worked for PeeWee, when he ran his former bar in Castle Street.
The couple previously ran the Rose & Crown in Stallard Street but made the decision to run a pub in a more central location as a result of the current economic climate.
Both pubs are owned by Enterprise Inns, but the couple’s departure from the Rose & Crown still leaves its future in doubt.
Mr Stacey, 39, said: “Obviously we have PeeWee’s next door and we know PeeWee very well, so we will support each other and I am sure that between our pub and his bar we can help make Church Street a very exciting part of the town with a lot going on.”
The White Swan dates back to 1692 when Church Street was known as Back Street, and Mike Marshman of the Wiltshire and Swindon History Centre said it was likely the pub took the name from The Swan pub, formerly in Hill Street, soon after it closed between 1731 and 1737.
Mr Stacey, who also works as a tree surgeon, said: “The customers (of the White Swan) are very loyal and we know a lot of people in the area so we are very excited to be opening. We are going to be putting some bikes up on the wall and maybe one coming out of the fireplace too.
“I think it’s very important to keep the pub open as it is the oldest in the town.
“I think it’s also important to keep traditional pubs open in these times when more and more people are buying drink at shops and staying at home to save money.”
A Captain Jack Sparrow lookalike will officially open the White Swan tonight at 7pm.
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