Island Life Magazine Ltd April/May 2010 | Page 136

food

Island Life - April/May 2010

Sue and
Richard
celebrate
20 years
When Richard and Sue Holmes took over a pub

couple of minutes,” smiled Richard, who also

that had fallen into a sad state of disrepair,

sources all his other meats and most of his

little could they have imagined that 20 years on

vegetables locally.

it would be one of the most popular licensed
premises on the Island.
Richard and Sue have transformed The

The Chequers’ Inn carvery – served at £7.95
or £6.45 depending on the size of plate - has
become very popular, with beef, lamb, pork and

Chequers Inn, at Chequers Inn Lane, Rookley

ham usually available, along with six to eight

into a warm, inviting pub that caters for all

different veg.

ages. Yet as Richard recalls: “When we arrived

There is always a good variety of real ales, and

it was totally boarded up, and many people said

the pub will be holding its annual Beer Festival

it had had its day.

on July 24 and 25 with around 20 different ales

“It took us a whole year to complete the
renovation and refurbishment, and I have to say
it cost us a lot more then we had anticipated.”
But the hard work and determination proved
all worthwhile, and now The Chequers is
renowned for its quality of service and variety
of menu that embraces bar snacks to functions.
Richard and his son Mark also run the family

to suit everyone’s taste.
And as part of the 20th Anniversary
celebrations on March 31,Richard, Sue and
the staff served customers with drinks at 1990
prices ‘just for a bit of fun’.
As well as having a traditional Lounge and
public bar, with its original flag stone floor
the pub recognises the importance of families.

farm surrounding the pub where some 35

Children's menus are readily available along

Aberdeen Angus cows and a flock of 150

with a host of entertainments including a Lego

ewes help provide a "pasture to plate"

table, colouring sheets, and a large outdoor

conveyor belt, which gives the pub control over

play area, including the immensely popular

traceability and welfare issues.

rabbit warren and the latest addition, a

“The cattle and sheep could leave their
grazing land and be in here for a pint inside a

merry-go-round, that carries 20, and is keeping
everyone happy. Tel: [phone]

Morgans follow the trend
Tim Morgan owner of Morgans restaurant
in Shanklin has followed the trend that is
sweeping the countries restaurants and has
replaced his current menu with the much
loved traditional English menu.
This new exciting menu will be more
affordable for diners so they can visit Morgans
on a more regular basis. Dishes on the new
menus (lunch & dinner) will include hickory
smoked ribs, home made pate, traditional
fish & chips, home-made lasagne, steak/
guinness and mushroom pie, home-made
chicken kiev, banana & chocolate crepes with
vanilla ice cream, home-made eton mess and
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sticky toffee
pudding.
Tim
commented
"This new
menu will be
more affordable for regular diners with main
courses priced between £8-10 per head. Also
early diners can take advantage of the special
menu (5pm-7pm) two courses £10.95 and
three courses £14.95."
Morgans Restaurant, High Street, Shanklin.
Tel: [phone]

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