A COUPLE from Basingstoke have reopened their bar after taking inspiration from their holiday to America.
Gabardine Bar in Basingstoke reopened today (June 21) after co-owners 54-year-old Fran Gathercole and 60-year-old Kevin Nelson were inspired to refurbish the bar after taking a very special holiday to New York.
The pair embarked on the trip to celebrate Kevin turning 60 but got more than they bargained for.
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When out on their travels Kevin was inspired by the decor he saw in different restaurants and bars, they then decided they wanted to create a fresh new look for their own bar at home in Basingstoke.
They were particularly drawn to the bright colours they saw.
Fran said: “It was Kevin’s 60 Birthday so we decided to have a big celebration and went to America.
“When we were there we noticed that all of the decor in restaurants there was bright green.
"We came back from holiday and we sat down and we decided to do the refurbishment and we are so pleased with how it looks.”
The refurbishment brings many new changes including partition walls to enhance the customer dining area and new furniture.
Several new products have been introduced to the menu including New York's very own Frosè which is a frozen rosè wine, frozen vodkas and FWIP ice machine supply soft sorbets, frozen yoghurt and ice cream including some vegan varieties to enjoy over the summer months, a grab and go fridge counter stock with variety of wraps, bagel, salad box, fruit pots and granola and yoghurt is a new feature to catch those in a hurry.
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The pair have also employed some new staff for the reopening who they hope will bring with them many years of knowledge and experience including Duncan the assistant manager and Lennie the new bar supervisor and many more team members.
The couple have been running the bar since August 2021 and Fran said they are extremely pleased with the result.
Fran said she loves managing the bar and said its great they can do it together.
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