A WARTIME-themed pub is enjoying a surge in trade — thanks to a mural of the barmaid.
The Forces sweetheart-style 20ft painting of Chelsea Isaac appeared on the wall of the Fortune of War last week.
Wayne PerryChelsea Isaac appeared in a 20ft painting on the wall of the Fortune of War[/caption]
The Forces sweetheart-style painting attracted new costumers
Single mum Chelsea, 30, whose dad Gordon owns the pub in Torquay, said: “I absolutely love it.
“I have had a lot of compliments about it.
“We have had loads of new customers come in to ask about it.
“The best compliment I have had is from a World War Two veteran who said, ‘You remind me of my childhood sweetheart’ — and they were married for 70 years.
“It all ties in with the wartime theme of the pub.”
Artist Eloise Johnson, known as Mrs Murals, was commissioned by Gordon to paint Chelsea in a green dress, stockings and black heels with red poppies and butterfly wings.
One local, Ashley Sims, 52, said: “There are a lot of new people coming to see what is going on.
“She [Chelsea] has been asked out every day since it went up.”
Landscaper Steve Grover, 50, added: “I think it’s brilliant — people are noticing the pub a lot more even though it has always been here.
“It was only finished last week but we have seen a lot of new faces since.
“It is predominantly a blokes’ pub but it is nice that somebody has done something different.”
Artist Eloise said: “The reaction has been fantastic from both Chelsea and the public.”
Wayne PerryChelsea says: ‘I have had a lot of compliments about it’[/caption] Published: [#item_custom_pubDate]
