Stage one of Ottery pub overhaul revealed

Customers and supporters of the Volunteer Inn in Ottery St Mary raised a cheer as the ribbon was cut by pub regular and family friend, Mel Snow on the completion of the first leg of refurbishment.

The new look for the popular pub in Broad Street includes a contemporary dining area, outdoor deck and, the piece de resistance, brand new, luxury toilets.

Landlady Jacqui Down explained: “It’s not often that new toilets are noteworthy, but having had outdoor facilities since the pub first came into existence as a dwelling, hostelry and recruitment centre for the Napoleonic Wars in the seventeenth century, this is a significant development for customers.”

In the first installation of its kind in the West Country, both the ladies and gents boast 3D flooring depicting a seascape and beach, with fish, sharks and mermaids. This is a relatively new concept in flooring by Floorink, and the floor design has been created using seven different images overlaid.

“I’d strongly recommend a visit, if only to take a peek at the toilet floors,” added Jacqui.

The decked area provides the perfect sun-trap, whilst the new dining area has been designed as a contemporary space, providing a contrast to the traditional public bar.

Landlord Mike Down said he and Jacqui were committed to maintaining the atmosphere of a ‘local’. “After all, the Volunteer is a typical town centre pub, with four darts teams, a Eucher team and classic pub grub – we’ve simply added another dimension to it.”

The second phase of the refurbishment will commence later in the year.