Iconic Marlow pub Chequers re-opens (From Bucks Free Press)

Iconic Marlow pub Chequers re-opens

4:23pm Wednesday 28th July 2010 in

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AFTER being shut for two years the iconic Chequers pub in Marlow officially reopened this week – bringing the town 'back to life'.

New tenants T M Steaks said its first weekend had been “very busy”.

Deputy Marlow Mayor Cllr Jocelyn Towns cut the ribbon on Monday, although the pub had started trading on Friday.

T M Steaks Managing Director Ted Docherty said: “It's been very busy over the weekend, the demand was greated than expected. We have kept it pretty low key. Overall we've exceeded our expectations.”

The reopening of the High Street pub, which includes two bars and a restaurant area, had been embroiled in controversy over a plastic hedge at the front.

It has since been replaced by real box hedging.

Residents, including ex-Mayor Cllr Neil Marshall said the artificial version was 'tasteless' while one resident, Dr Ewan McLeish, said it was an 'insult' to Marlow.

But traders hit back saying the complaints were 'petty' and 'over the top' – backed by 81 per cent of readers on a Bucks Free Press online poll.

Mr Docherty said: “Ultimately at the end of the day, plastic hedge or real hedge, it's better open than closed.”

During the time it was shut the boarded up pub had been labelled an 'eyesore'.

“In a couple of months we want people talking about the food, not about the hedge,” Mr Docherty added.

He said the company still wants to hear customers'.

Cllr Towns said: “It's such an important location in Marlow and it was just looking so sad closed.

“It has brought the town back to life.”

Don Bridgman, chief executive of WH Brakspear and Sons, which owns the building, had told the Free Press: “We are really pleased that at long last we are there.”

He added that trade had been so good an emergency delivery of beer had come in Monday.