Roll up, roll up: See inside new fairground-themed bar and restaurant in Telford town centre

It's been two and a half years since plans were revealed for a new bar and restaurant under the Travelodge in Telford's Southwater.

Those who've passed the venue over the 12 months will be well familiar with the motif, as the owners have done little to hide their plans for a fairground-themed bar.

Albert & Co Fairground is the second Southwater premises unveiled by Albert's Shed, after a live music venue opened next to the ice rink in November 2019.

Managing director, David Gregg, said the company had to overcome several hurdles to finally open on Thursday evening.

He said: "We've never done a project like this before, generally in the past we've taken on existing venues and adapted them to suit our needs - but this one was an empty shell.

"We wanted something different - something that gave us an identity. Not just going out for a beer or food."

And different it is - inside there are authentic merry-go-round horses, fairground ride cars, waltzer-style seating booths and a giant animatronic jack-in-the-box underneath a huge circus tent ceiling.

Like Albert's Shed's other venues, most of the interior has been salvaged. Materials in the other Southwater venue came from a tobacco factory, while Shrewsbury's is made up of an old barn.

David said: "We tend to spend our time on eBay and Facebook sellers and all of that - we grab real stuff.

"Most of the wood you see inside with the lights on came from a seafront in Wales. You can't replicate that, 50-plus years of being out in the elements being repainted over and over again."

Among the vintage pieces is plenty of original and unique artwork, thanks to Katie Romney of the KR-Creative in Shrewsbury.

Now open from Monday to Sunday from 8am until midnight, Fairground has an eat-in and takeaway menu along with a selection of milkshakes and cocktails, craft beers and a comprehensive wine and spirit selection.

David said he hoped the new venue would provide something for everyone.

He added: "We wanted somewhere fun with a high level of service that you can go with the family during the day, then come the night-time it becomes a little more sophisticated.

"We want to do the milkshakes, the cocktails, all the fun stuff we can't really go into in Albert's Shed because that's all about the live music."