Devonshire pub customers put feet up for charity

A Devonshire pub has created a new furniture feature to raise money for the Wallace and Grommitt Kids Appeal at Bristol Hospital. 

The Duke of Cornwall in Ivybridge, which is owned by Punch Taverns and run by Dave Smith, charges customers £1 to sit in the chair.

Local resident, Phil Hatch, upholstered the chair with donated bar towels from the Duke of Cornwall.

The Duke of Cornwall, which is well-known for its involvements with its local community and has previously won the Community Pub of the Year on numerous occasions, has had the chair in the pub for six weeks.

Dave said:  “Phil thought of using the beer towels in a creative way to create a bit of fun for my regulars and raise some cash for the Bristol Hospital. It is a cause which is very close to his heart so it is great that we have been able to support the hospital appeal and give something back.

“Since the chair has been in the pub, we have seen dozens of customers sitting in it and it has become somewhat of a talking point. We have even seen some new faces coming in to see what the chair looks like and donate money to such a worthy cause. We have seen ex-footballer Sean McCarthy sit in the chair and we are hoping to get some more local celebrities down.

“So far we have raised £100 and I look to welcome everyone to come in, put their feet up and support this wonderful charity.”

Punch is a leading pub company in the UK with approximately 4,200 leased and tenanted pubs nationwide.