At 6.00pm last Thursday, the doors at The Case re-opened to customers for the first time since the pub closed just over 12 months ago. By 17.50 there was already a large crowd patiently waiting outside for their first drink and by the time last orders were called, over 250 people, with ages ranging from a few months to over 90 years old, had visited the pub during the evening.
The expression on David Westley’s face says it all!
Complimentary tasters of Calvors lagers and local Fairfields Crisps (just two of our local suppliers) were enjoyed throughout the evening, while the voluntary bar staff, looking very smart in their new team shirts, did a fantastic job of serving so many people. Not that anyone was in a hurry to go anywhere, with everyone enjoying the opportunity to be back in our village pub and share the moment with so many of their friends and neighbours.
Just 20 minutes after opening we were live on air from The Case with BBC Radio Suffolk’s Stephen Foster. If you were in the pub then you can hear yourself contributing to the very loud cheers! You can listen in (around 02:17:00) at: http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p01w895q
This has been an incredible community effort, involving so many people from Bentley and beyond and, from the Bentley Community Pub team, we thank all those who have contributed both financially or with their skills and time to get the pub ready to re-open in what has been just eight short weeks from when we took possession. Thank you too, to everyone who came out last night to support us. We hope to see many more of you over the Easter weekend and in the future.
01473 805575