Cheers to Mark and partners for saving Hole in the Wall - just like Torquay United

The passage of time has no respect for tradition especially in the world of one of Britain’s most cherished institutions, a good, old fashioned pub.

These hostelries were once the beating heart of local communities where residents of all creed and colour could meet for a pint or gin and tonic. Sadly they are a dying breed.

Of course, I know that time stands still for no-one and I have always been, and will always be, an advocate for change in the right place and right format, but that doesn’t stop me from lamenting the sad decline of the local.

As a trainee reporter working out of Fleet Street in Torquay, lunch hours with the more senior ranks took in a quick tour of the various pubs in and around the town centre - it is where you gleaned the best stories, honest!

I cannot remember them all, but included in the rounds (not all on the same day) were the likes of the Royal, Gibbons, the Queens, the Yacht, Printers Elbow, the Falcon, Queens Arms, Manor or Market Inn, the Banner Cross and even the Marine Tavern despite it being home to the local chapter of Hells Angels.

Then there was Hele Village where I grew up and spent my early years living with nan and gramp right next to the Royal Standard pub in the main Hele Road. I can remember watching my nan serve up the drinks from the ‘snug’ at the Standard during the halcyon days of landlords Charlie and Winnie Walton. The Standard gathered a reputation over the years but it was a haven for locals where everybody looked after each other.

Long gone, it is now flats just like the ‘Buff’ club up the road. Of the three pubs only the Conservative Club remains. For me the highlight of the year was the locals emerging from all three premises to literally stop the traffic, join hands and welcome in the New Year with Auld Lang Syne. A thing of the past and that heartbeat of the community never the same.

The latest pub to call time is the award-winning Queens Arms in Brixham, a shining beacon of hope for that community and where landlord Chris Simmonds and the locals have raised more than £70,000 for charity since he took over 16 years ago.

Chris says with sadness and a broken heart: “The Queens Arms was finished and closed in November 2010, I took it and reopened in December and have been here 16 years now.

“However, the time had come with great sadness for me to leave The Queens Arms.

Leaving with countless years of memories, good, bad, stressful and amazing. There are many reasons for this decision falling footfall to bills now being unaffordable, everything going up; utilities, rates, stock, wages, etc. Furthermore, I’m nearly 60 now and I need a change in direction for health reasons. All making it impossible to continue trading.”

The Queens Arms will pull its last pint at 6pm on Boxing Day.

Blimey, I think we all need some cheering up - so let’s raise a glass to Mark Bowes-Cavanagh for at last delivering some great news in the world of pubs and bars.

Mark is a leading member of the Bryn Consortium of business people which saved Torquay United from oblivion.

Now he is doing the same with a pub - Torquay’s oldest pub to be precise, the Hole in the Wall dating back to 1540. Mark and fellow businessmen and friends Ian Brierley and Brendan Tallon have breathed new life into the ancient hostelry under a new limited company called Yellow and Blue Enterprises.

Along with Michael Westcott, Mark is the co-owner at United, but it has to be emphasised that his latest venture has nothing to do with the Plainmoor club, although there is mention of the news on the United website under the heading ‘the oldest pub meets the biggest show: United co-chairman helps bring Torquay’s Hole in the Wall back to life’.

It adds: “In a meeting of two of Torbay’s oldest and most cherished institutions, Yellow and Blue Enterprises has negotiated terms with Stonegate to reopen the iconic Hole in the Wall.

“The move represents an exciting new chapter for a venue steeped in local history, with the ambition of restoring the pub to its rightful place at the heart of the Torquay community.

“The partnership brings together a small team of locally based business people, with extensive experience of running pubs and hospitality venues in Torquay and the surrounding area.

“They know the Hole in the Wall well, understand what it means to local people and are passionate about preserving its unique character for generations to come.”

The story says that for Mark Bowes-Cavanagh, whose involvement with Torquay United reflects a wider commitment to the town and its future, the opportunity to help secure the next chapter in the story of such an iconic local landmark is particularly special. The ‘oldest pub in town meeting the biggest show in town is a partnership built on local pride, community spirit and a shared belief in the importance of Torquay’s heritage’.

Mark told me: ““This has nothing to do with Torquay United. I have set up a company with two friends of mine who have bars already.

“One of the ideas is to do some promotions with the club and get the players down with supporters for ‘stories by the fireplace’.”

He emphasises that any such events and promotions would not be to the detriment of any commercial and licensed operation at Plainmoor like Boots & Laces, the Gulls Nest and The Cove.

His fellow directors in the new company are Ian Brierley and Brendan Tallon.

He said Ian owns Select Inns and has around 20 bars in and around Torbay and Bournemouth. His expertise is taking over bars and making them profitable.

He has the Dolphin, a well-known local for Torquay United supporters, and Crown and Sceptre pubs in St Marychurch on his books .

“He knows the business very well,” says Mark. “Me and Ian have been friends for a while. He had three children at the same school as my three and he has a home less than half a mile away from ours in Spain which is 30 minutes from Alicante. It transpired that when I spoke to Stonegate they had been talking to Ian about the pub as well.”

Mark said Brendan Tallon runs a company with around seven bars including TQ2 in Torquay. His main expertise is in the world of accountancy.

“They are both Torquay United fans and come to games. They also like rugby,” said Mark.

“The Hole in the Wall is the oldest pub in Torquay and just down the road from where we live. We thought ‘why not?’ and started negotiating with Stonegate.”

He added: “It is a bit like Torquay United. We did not want the club to go into oblivion. It needed help. We are hoping the Hole in the Wall takes the same path. We have been talking about doing something there for a while.

“Local bars are being taken away for various things - people do not appear to go out as much as they used to. But they are a really important part of Torbay’s structure and we need them.

This is not Mark’s first venture into the world of bars and pubs. He took over the Still House on Paignton harbour three or four years ago.

The bistro and gastro pub on South Quay is managed for him by a couple who will be well-known to Torquay United followers - Sharon and Russell Musker. Sharon worked in the Plainmoor commercial department for several years and Russell is a former player.

“Obviously it has been a very busy summer and the bar is doing very well,” says Mark

“We try to do different things there like theme nights, Italian nights with tribute acts and live local bands.”

Yellow and Blue Enterprises have already invested in the Hole in the Wall - £250,000 has been spent on the pub’s thatched roof as well as work inside the pub on areas damaged by water.

Mark is confident for the future: “Business has been exceptional since we opened, We are hoping to get food in there shortly. We have some great ideas.”

Huge best wishes and congratulations to Mark, Ian and Brendan for saving a piece of Torquay’s rich past from a death sentence, just like TUFC.

Still can’t help but feel sad for Chris Simmonds and the Queens Arms over in Brixham.

Is there anybody out there…..