Angling for a Jolly future

Adam Hewitt • Published 4 Mar 2010 09:00 0 Comments

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REGULAR service was resumed when familiar customers were welcomed back at their old local to find landlord John Westendorp still behind the bar.

Eight months after it was suddenly shut down by its former owners Enterprise Inns, pints are again being pulled at The Jolly Anglers in Kennetside, east Reading.

Mr Westendorp is running the pub for the new owners who have rescued it, a Caversham couple who want to stay out of the limelight.

He said: "The re-opening was great, we had all the support groups down here early in the morning and trade was fantastic all day. There was a really good party atmosphere - if half the people who were here turn up once a week, the future's looking bright!"

Ian Foord, from Swindon, was in Reading for the annual Ale Trail and heard about the re-opening while supping a pint in the nearby Fishermans Cottage.

He said: "We heard it had re-opened and immediately went down there and thoroughly enjoyed it. They had five real ales on, including one brewed specially by Loddon Brewery. Next time we're in Reading, we'll be back!"

Politicians of all parties supported the push to get the pub, one of the few remaining in that part of east Reading, back open.

Also key was Jollydarity co-ordinator, Cathy Marsden, who is keeping the campaign going as a residents' group and events organising committee for the community.

She said: "We had a fantastic day for the re-launch and the message now is for people to keep going to the pub and get it back on its feet, but also that the campaign worked - we had a dream and kept slogging away at it and, despite some people's negative attitude, it worked."

There is an official celebration toast to welcome the pub's reopening at 2pm and 4pm on Sunday.

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