Regulars rally to aid of Fairhaven pub

A target of £50,000 has been set on an online Just Giving site in aid of The Fairhaven, which only reopened a year ago after being closed for almost three years.

Because the pub had been trading for less than a year when the pandemic lockdown came in March, proprietors Robert Benson and Gina Mancini were not able to apply for business loans.

Sixteen members of staff have had to be temporarily laid off and the bills for utilities and other essential items have been coming in.

But Robert and Gina are determined that The Fairhaven will be back – and are so grateful to the regulars for their efforts to help out.

Robert said: “When we took over The Fairhaven, it was the sense of community which really attracted us and this fund-raising effort, which we knew nothing about beforehand, is the perfect illustration of that.

“We are so grateful to these wonderful people and we are determined to do everything we can to keep The Fairhaven going.

“I know we are not on our own by any means and we all appreciate why lockdown had to happen but it has been devastating for us to have to be closed just nine months after we reopened it. Because we had been trading for less than a year, we were unable to apply for certain financial help but we still have to pay the bills.

“We love it here and are eagerly awaiting news of when we might be able to reopen but there will be more costs in doing that and there are a lot of practicalities to consider, notably how to accommodate customers and getting the equipment ready again.

“It’s so good to know we have the backing of the community in such uncertain times.”

Stewart Kay, one of the organisers of the fund-raising bid, said: “The locals are so proud and pleased with the way Gina and Bobby transformed the pub and had it again operating as a great place to visit and relax.

“We, the community, feel so sad that after all their effort and work it may again become a derelict building.”

Details of how to donate to the fund are at: www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/supportfairhavenpub