COBBLERS, the micro-pub in Newent, that was recently joined by a second pub bearing the same name in Coleford, celebrated its first birthday last week.

Brainchild of the landlord, Ian Jones, the pubs started out as his hobby, but have now proved very popular, at a time when, nationally, pubs are closing down at an alarming rate.

The two Cobblers micro pubs, whose ethos is centred on the fact that they have 'no music, no wi-fi, no children, no food and no lager', and simply serve regular and 'guest' real ales and ciders in a comfortable atmosphere, are amongst only 13 such establishments in the county.

The Friday night celebration saw Ian presented with a birthday cake to commemorate the day. Ian commented: "It had been a bit of an uphill struggle to get the pub sorted, but thanks to a loyal crowd of customers and excellent staff, we've managed to get it onto an even keel. I was really set on the idea of a pub for grown ups, and, thankfully, the customers seem to agree with that."

The opening of the second pub in St John Street in Coleford, has proved that the idea of a pub that has a sign on the wall that says: "We don't have wi-fi – we talk to each other" can succeed, as this too now has regular devotees.

Ian is planning to open a third branch of Cobblers in the near future, although he is keeping the location of the new pub a closely guarded secret.