How Bexhill's Mermaid saw off a Continental wind

A ribbon-cutting ceremony last Friday evening, by Carnival Queen Tessa Carrick and her Court symbolised a name-change which many patrons had thought inevitable.

The bar and functions suite beneath the Sackville has reverted to its original title. The Mistral signs have been torn down. Now new sea siren figures recline above the front door and grace the other signage.

Owner Sally Warren explained: "When I first looked at the place with a view to buying it last year I thought 'Love the place - hate the name.'"

Sally has been steadily building up trade at the establishment since taking over in January.

Now, she has decided, is the time to restore not only its fortunes but its name.

She said: "I didn't like the name. Nobody liked the name. Few people knew what it meant. I didn't even know the name had changed and I thought I was pretty well informed about the town.

"It had always been my intention to change the name and have something more in keeping with the British seaside - rather than a wind in France!

"Taxi drivers didn't know what you meant if you asked for the Mistral. The locals still referred to it as the Mermaid."

Between 80 and 100 guests were about to enjoy champagne cocktails and buffet as Sally added: "I have been working on this place and I like to think that we have made a lot of improvements.

"Chef has been with us since June and he has helped me so much that we are in the position now where it is virtually essential to book a seat in the conservatory for Sunday carvery lunch."

The jazz band playing for guests, she explained, were all regular clients.

"I have had some good support from all kinds of people since I got here. It's been hard work but fun."