West Country

Copley Arms

Hessenford, Cornwall

Michael and Diane Bradburn say that having other members of their family working at the Copley Arms has helped reinforce its credentials as a family pub.

The couple arrived at the St Austell Brewery managed house nearly six years ago.

Diane says: "It was meant to be a family pub, but there was little atmosphere and it had a pool table in the so-called family room."

Smoke-free families

Lack of family atmosphere wasn't helped by a policy allowing smoking in part of the 100-cover restaurant. "All the families asked for a non-smoking area, but smoke drifted into other areas, so we made the restaurant non-smoking," Diane says.

The couple also set about raising service standards and creating a welcoming ambience for family groups. Michael says: "Families celebrate many special events here, such as a 60th, 75th, or even a 100th birthday."

Pulling in the tourists

Like many other Cornish pubs, a sizeable proportion of the Copley Arms' trade comes from holidaymakers.

To attract passers-by, prominent signage lets them know that families are welcome and the play area and climbing frame are visible from the main road.

Michael says: "Many people dropping in have seen the play area while driving past. Some holidaymakers visit us every day because we have a large menu and they know we offer something different every time."

Healthy children's food

Younger customers can choose small portions of dishes on the main menu as well as from a children's menu that includes lasagne, scampi, pizza, 4oz rump steak, battered cod and chicken chunks.

Michael says: "We don't serve nuggets of reformed chicken, but proper chicken breast."