A POPULAR city centre pub has reopened following a short closure. 

The Old Ale and Coffee House on Crane Street pub has been closed since Wednesday for a small refurbishment. 

The floor has been sanded and the walls and the bar have been repainted, and there are plans to bring in new tables and do up some of the other furniture over the next couple of weeks. 

The menu is also set to be freshened up in time for Spring. They also regularly update the drinks offerings, changing the real ales frequently, and Rude Giant can now be found there. 

Ed Turner, who lives near Andover, took over the pub in 2016. 

Day-to-day, it is run by long-time friend and business associate Shane O’Neill.

Ed told the Journal: "January was tough, but it wasn't as bad as last year. We had a great Christmas, and the tourists are back in town which is good, but we have lost the after-work trade."

Ed, 56, says that - not counting the success of their weekly quiz - very few people come into the pub on a weekday evening anymore.

"We need people back in here meeting their future spouses and partners", says Ed, "but the after work crowd is gone." 

"It's good we have Hixon, the Cosy Club and the New Inn over in this part of town, because a lot of focus gets placed on what is going on in the Market Place". 

The Ox Row Inn has just reopened following a refurbishment of its own, while the Market Inn remains closed following its takeover by the Chickpea Group.

It is expected to reopen sometime in March. 

Events such as the Six Nations is also a big help for Ed and his team. 

"We are massive for the rugby, and we will be showing the games this weekend". 

The pub is often completely full on match days, with tables booked up well in advance.

More can be done to improve things for pubs in Salisbury, says Ed - who also runs pubs in Mudeford and Newbury. 

"Hospitality is really tough at the moment. We're not here for a sob story, but costs remain high and some trade is down. Salisbury should be the gastronomic and life centre of the whole of Wiltshire!". 

Food and drinking habits continue to change, and the pub prides itself on the quality of its food offering. 

Ed said: "People have less money to spend, and will be saving their cash for a special occasion and be eating with us".

For more information go to oldaleandcoffeehouse.com.