Congresbury restaurant takeover signals fresh start

A Bristol company has expanded into North Somerset by investing £250,000 in a village pub and pledging to axe the old strict car parking rules, which had angered the community.

Mezze Restaurants has taken over the Ship & Castle in Congresbury, with the aim of turning the pub to its rightful position as the hub of the community, as well as adding a new Meze and A La Carte restaurant.

The previous landlady had installed signs warning drivers they would be fined if they used her car park for all-day parking without permission, which turned a lot of prospective customers away.

Parish council chairman Peter Sewell said at the time the signs had caused “raised eyebrows among the community” as there was a general feeling that it could be used as general car park during the day.

Mezze Restaurants says it does not agree with such strict enforcement of the rules and will not be issuing parking tickets or fines.

Instead they hope that with goodwill on both sides, the car park can be used by anyone during the day and just ask everyone supports their new venture by popping in.

They believe that being on good terms and cooperating with their neighbours is the best way to create good working relationships and earn their place in the local community.

Alex Tryfonos, Mezze owner, said: “We already run two successful Mezze pubs in Downend and Thornbury and are thrilled to be expanding into North Somerset.

“We already provide more than 70 jobs in our other restaurants and there will be an extra 30 new full and part-time jobs for Congresbury and the surrounding area.

“Our recent growth has been self-funded and overall we have invested around £250,000 in the past six weeks revamping the entire pub and creating a new Mediterranean garden.”

Mezze At Ship & Castle opens to the public on May 28, following a series of pre-launch evenings for local people to see how the place has changed.

The official launch evening takes place on Friday May 25, conducted by former Bristol FC player Scott Murray and Cricketer Ian Harvey, at 7pm.

For more information visit www.mezzerestaurants.com or call Alex Tryfonos/Kerensa Kelly on 01934 833535.