There has been a long tradition of hospitality at the old establishment once know as the County Hotel. Indeed, the picturesque surroundings overlooking the River Avon in Bridge Street once made the County Hotel one of the most popular in the South of England.

A hostelry has stood on the Bridge-street site for as far back as the middle of the 15th century and records show the existence of an inn called Le Ramme in 1843. The inn was later renamed the King’s Head and was demolished in 1891 to be replaced by the County Hotel in 1895.

Today it is home to Wetherspoons but sixty years ago it was the talk of the town when new owners, Berni Inns, Limited, opened their two new specialty restaurants and two new bars.

The County was acquired by Berni Inns in 1963 and the Bristol-based catering group, with more than 70 inns throughout the country, made many alterations and improvements in preparation for the grand opening.

During the first phase of development, two new restaurants were installed by Berni’s - the Steak Bar and the Gridiron and each seated 50 people. These restaurants were created from the old hotel ballroom.

The restaurants were separated by an authentic oak-panelled screen and Berni managed to retain many of the features of architectural and historical interest. These included the Minstrels’ Gallery which overlooked both restaurants.

The men behind the Berni Inns enterprise were the Berni brothers Aldo and Frank, who came to this country from Italy with a legacy of £150 each from their mother. Both soon became multi-millionaires!

Their business was born in the West Country in the 1950s but soon spread throughout the country.

Many readers will remember the Berni three-course meal of soup, gammon steak and pineapple and Neapolitan ice cream to finish - and all for 10 bob!