A ‘WONDERFUL’ community effort has brought a beloved boozer back into business in Rugby town centre.
The Rugby Tap is pulling pints once again, having closed earlier this year following the devastating losses of its landlord and head barman.
New landlady Sarah Quinton rallied the old regulars of the St Matthews Street micropub, who came together and raised the necessary funds to reopen their favourite bar.
Sarah, who was herself a regular at the Tap since it first opened nine years ago, said previous owner Mike Crane and former head barman Ken Devereux – who sadly passed away within months of each other in late 2023 and early 2024 – would be proud that their tap room was still going strong.
She said: “Mike and Ken made a great team and were the personality of the Tap, with their relaxed attitude, banter and always a joke or two.
“They both had a great sense of humour and would probably say I’m mad to take it on. But really they would be so happy that it is carrying on and the lovely Tap family can come together again.
“They both loved the Tap, the atmosphere, the people, the beer and the banter. They both made it such a relaxed and friendly place.
“All of the Tap family were devastated at the loss of our dear friends and they have been immensely supportive – they truly are wonderful people.”
Sarah says she was ‘blown away’ by the support she has received to get the pub up and running again.
“Initially I said ‘no’ to taking it on, but I could see the Tap family scattered around the town in different pubs and they were so sad to see the end of an era.
“Whenever I saw anyone they would ask me to re-open it, but we didn’t have the funds.
“So I set up a GoFunMe page. To my amazement donations were coming in straight away.
“I can’t believe how generous everyone is. I am forever grateful for the support.
“It’s not only the money, lots of people offered to do work in the pub to get it up to scratch. We have such a wonderful community – this is why it was so important to re-open.”
Sarah is reintroducing the Tap’s popular open mic nights, pizza evenings and Sunday afternoon quiz, and also wants to make the space available in the daytime for community groups and meetings
“I want the Tap to be a space for everyone to enjoy,” she said.
“I’m so excited to be open again and I’m overwhelmed by the response. Our Tap family is the best and I thank you all from the bottom of my heart.”
