TWO successful Lewes business owners have announced ambitious plans to transform a Bexhill pub and make it the go-to destination in the town.
The former Traffers pub in Egerton Road, close to the seafront and several other amenities, has been rebranded as the Ruddy Duck and several exciting initiatives have been planned.
The running of the pub has been taken over by new tenants Elisa Uludag and Jane Hill, who have extensive experience in the pub trade.
They have run The Swan pub in Lewes for the past 12 years, but believe they can make an equal success with the Ruddy Duck.
Elisa said: “We have several exciting plans in the pipeline and thought the pub was a perfect opportunity to expand our business.
“Although we are tenants at the moment having taken over on April 1, the objective is to buy the premises and hopefully complete the purchase as soon as possible.
“It is a completely new venture for us but we believe Bexhill is the perfect location although there is plenty of work to be done.
“For a start, the building needs complete modernisation but we believe it is vital that the pub continues as a going concern so the work needed will be carried out gradually rather than shutting down while renovations are carried out.
“We discovered the pub was up for sale and we just fell in love with it. There is so much potential and the location is beautiful.
“An added bonus is that it is, to all intents and purposes, a blank canvas and we are determined to transform it and make it a big success.”
Both believe that Bexhill is the perfect destination in which to grow their business and they want to appeal to regulars and new customers too.
Elisa added: “We believe Bexhill chose us rather than the other way around. Since we took over local people have been very friendly and supportive and they really want us to succeed.
“They have all said they are delighted it will be staying as a pub and that they will be supporting us. We both like to be crowd pleasers and this really is a fantastic opportunity.”
Jane is equally enthusiastic about the future of the Ruddy Duck and outlined some of the initiatives they aim to implement over the forthcoming weeks and months.
She said: “There is an outside area that has so much potential and we want to make that a welcoming focal point with new outdoor furniture and attractive plants. We want it to be as appealing as possible.
“There is already a quiz night which is very popular but we want to build on that with other events that will appeal to customers old and new.
For a start, putting on regular intimate gigs featuring local musicians is certainly on the agenda but there will be plenty more in store too.”
Howard Martin, President of Bexhill Chamber of Commerce, is also fully supportive of the new venture.
He said: “Bexhill Chamber of Commerce welcomes this new investment in Bexhill. We are sure the very experienced team will make a massive success of this great pub which is such an important venue at the heart of our community for both locals and visitors.”
