Taste of outdoor dining for Ludlow
Dining and drinking under the arches of a town's historic Buttercross building is set to become a fixture of the summer months.
After a handful of trial runs this spring, the Church Inn in Ludlow town centre is in talks with Ludlow Town Council to make regular use of the space beneath the Buttercross at the top of Broad Street to bring a taste of continental cafe culture to town.
The ancient 14th century pub sits directly behind the 18th century Buttercross, off King Street, and was taken over by the Bosi brothers last year, re-opening in December.
Cedric Bosi served behind the bar at the Church Inn when he first moved to Ludlow to work with brother, Michelin-starred chef Claude, who then ran the Hibiscus Restaurant in Corve Street.
Now the brothers, together with their respective wives, are celebrating a successful six months as owners of the Church Inn, and looking to bring a little vibrancy to the streets outside the pub.
Cedric said talks with Ludlow Town Council, which manages the use of the space, as well as running the Ludlow Museum at the Buttercross upstairs, were in the final stages and it looked likely they would have permission to make eating and drinking out under the Buttercross a regular feature.
He said: "I think it' a great idea – for us because it essentially extends out pub, but also for Ludlow as it will bring some life into the town centre.
"I think it will make the town centre more vibrant and the feedback on the idea so far has been great.
"We've had a few evenings where we have tired it but unfortunately until now the weather has not been so good.
"But if the weather is good it should be really nice – it's a lovely view, you can look out at all the old buildings on Broad Street under the arch."
He said apart from moving the bar and a general spruce up the decor of the ancient Church Inn had been kept much the same, complete with medieval church pew, and business had been very good since opening six months ago.
The Church Inn was previously run by Floyd Wilson-Lloyd, a former town mayor, and was bought by the brothers and their respective wives last year.
Cedric and Amy Bosi also run the Charlton Arms across town on the Ludford side of Ludford Bridge.
