Watch: Swindon landlady speaks of relief at reopening less than two months after car ploughed into her pub
The landlady at a Swindon pub has spoken of her relief at being able to reopen for the festive season only a few months after a car crashed into it.
The Old Bush Inn in the South Staffordshire village had suffered severe damage when a car ploughed into the side of the building on October 30 and there had been fears at the time that the pub in High Street would be closed for a long time.
However, thanks to quick work from the emergency services at the time to secure the building and owners Admiral Taverns, the pub was cleaned up and repaired in just six weeks, reopening to the public on December 12.
Landlady Claire Marsh said it had been a rough six weeks for all concerned.
She said: "It happened around twenty to one and we were left really shocked at what had happened, but the emergency services got down here really quickly.
"I think the car had been coming from Wombourne way when it hit the pub. The damage meant the chimney had to be taken down and the log burner was over by the bar, so it was a bit of a mess.
"It was heart-breaking at the time because I was left with nothing to do and we were stuck in limbo for a while because of not knowing how long it would take to fix it."
Regulars at the pub were left just as shocked at the damage caused to the pub and said they were just relieved to have their pub back so quickly.
Darren, who lives in the village, said: "We were stunned when it happened and our local closed. The atmosphere is really friendly and I don't want to drink anywhere else.
"I was on the telephone to the owners asking them when it was going to be open, and a week later it was.
"I think everyone concerned has done a fantastic job to get it open again so soon and looking so good as well."
For Ms Marsh, it had been a tough period, but she is just relieved to have her pub back and thankful to everyone who had helped get it back up and running.
She said: "It was just such a relief to have it back open and the customer response has been great, with quite a few of the regulars coming back and a lot of new faces as well.
"It's been great to be able to open up for the festive season as well and everyone has been great, from the emergency services to Admiral Taverns, so I'm just thankful to have the pub back open."
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