'Absolutely brilliant': The Hole in the Wall celebrates successful reopening
The historic Torquay pub has welcomed back customers for the first time since April 2025, with its new managers delighted by the response.
The first few nights at The Hole in The Wall have been a huge success, according to the pub’s new managers.
The historic Torquay pub reopened its doors on Wednesday (October 28), marking its return for the first time since April 2025.
It welcomed customers for some causal drinks before hosting its official launch night on Thursday (October 29).
Agne Jureviciute, who manages the pub alongside Stefan Bradley, spoke to the Torbay Weekly about the response from customers.
Reflecting on Wednesday’s intital opening, Agne said: “We had a little soft opening just to see that everything obviously is working as it should.”
“We had some family and friends join and a lot of people that were walking up and discovered it too and they joined in.”
“Some regulars as well and obviously people that used to work here popping in and just everyone reminiscing.”
“It was a very pleasant evening.”
However, the main event was the official opening on Thursday night (October 29), attracting large crowds of locals eager to enjoy a pint in the familiar surroundings, alongside new visitors drawn in by the buzz surrounding the reopening on social media.
Drew Millen and friends who have previously performed at the pub got the party going.
Agne said: “It was just nothing like we’ve seen before.”
“It was just absolutely brilliant.”
“Drew and friends, what a show!”
“So many people came out midweek just to support.”
“There must have been quite a few sore heads the next day!”
She even revealed that some guests changed their plans to make sure they made the opening.
Agne said: “Some people postponed going home.”
“They were on holiday but they specifically want to be there for the opening night.”
“We’re just absolutely over the moon with how it’s all going so far.”
Agne was delighted to see the pub full of life again and said: “I mean, it’s how it’s meant to be!”
“The pub is such a social place and having a nice crowd come and enjoy the beers and the atmosphere obviously makes it.”
“This place meant so many different things to so many different people.”
“It’s just wonderful to have them all back.”
The Hole in the Wall is now open from midday every day, welcoming customers back for drinks.
For Agne and Stefan, the opportunity to run The Hole in the Wall is more than a business venture, it’s a dream come true.
Agne said: “We worked in the Palace Hotel in Brixham, obviously now it’s been demolished, but we worked there for about seven, eight years.”
“Then we worked in the Imperial Hotel for about five years and then we moved into the pub trade.”
“The Hole in the Wall has been a familiar place throughout our lives.”
“We would come here and we always enjoyed spending time here.”
“You’d think, oh, running a place like this would be a dream.”
“And that’s come true.”
“That’s just one of those things in life.”
When looking towards the future, Agne said: “We’re hoping it’ll go on as it started, well restarted!”
“So every Sunday at eight o'clock, Drew Millen is going to be joining us and he's also going to be playing New Year's Eve.”
“And obviously people are all asking about the kitchen and that is definitely in the works.”
“It’ll be nice, good, home-cooked pub food.”
“We just need a little bit more time just to make sure the kitchen is up and running and all safe to go.”
“But we’re working on it and it’s definitely a priority.”
The last few days have been truly unforgettable for Agne and the team.
She added: “Being part of it is something quite special.”
Agne also added: “being mentioned in Parliament was just surreal.”
This comes in light of Steve Darling, Torbay MP, celebrating the reopening of the historic, much-loved pub in Parliament.