Hole In The Wall back in business

Just over 12 months after it burned to the ground, Exeter’s Hole In The Wall pub has risen from the ashes.

Owners George Sloan and Rob Skinner have invested hundreds of thousands of pounds in restoring the venue to its former glory.

And that is on top of the tens of thousands they spent refurbishing the pub when they originally bought it two years ago.

However, after “an enormous slog” the venue is once again open for business and bigger and better than before.

Mr Sloan said: “It’s been a tough year and a bit. The place was devastated and we, more or less, had to start from scratch again.

“As well as several insurers to deal with, there were a number of hiccups along the way but we got there in the end.”

The blaze, in June 2014, was started after someone discarded a cigarette in a bin outside the building in Little Castle Street.

Flames were initially spotted by Exeter City Council CCTV operators. The pub was empty at the time and no one was hurt.

Looking back at pictures of the devastation, Mr Sloan said he was relieved the ordeal was over.

“It has been an enormous slog for everyone involved,” he said.

“But I always try to look on the bright side and we were forced into a top to bottom renovation.

“Some of those things that would have been nice to do, became things that had to be done. The place is looking tremendous.”

Mr Sloan and Mr Skinner are marketing the venue as Exeter’s ‘premiere sports bar’.

They show a range of live events from Formula 1 to rugby and some Premiership and international games.

There is also an extensive bar menu available as well as a new take away hatch at the rear of the building.

Mr Sloan and and Mr Skinner have been running their two other Exeter venues, Old Timers and The Hole In The Wall throughout the renovation work