New restaurant and bar in former Conservative Club with Shakespearean connections

It was the end of an era when Marlborough Conservative Association’s offices, which had been situated on the High Street for over a hundred years, moved to Devizes.  However, the premises have been given a half a million pound make-over and now offer a very stylish and comfortable restaurant/bar open to all.

Called The White Harte within the Conservative Club, the bar/restaurant is named after the tavern that was on the site in Tudor times.  A blue plaque on the side of Straker’s estate agents next door refers to the fact that Shakespeare’s players performed a play in the courtyard of The White Hart in the 1690s.

Today’s White Harte is open every day, from 9.30 am to 11.30 pm on a Wednesday, Friday and Saturday with slightly shorter openings on the other days. 

It offers breakfasts, snacks and sandwiches as well as starters, main courses such as steaks, curries, burgers, fish and chips together with desserts.  Prices for most items are £6.95. Sunday roasts are offered at £9.95.

Jackie Dicks, manager of The White Harte told marlborough.news, “Our breakfasts are very popular.  All the meat is sourced from Sumblers. In fact, we try to source everything locally.  There is no comparison with the old Conservative Club.  Before we only had five tables, but now we have opened up the entire ground floor all the way through and we are able to offer the space for parties and functions as well.”

“Chef Trevor Stannard, who is renowned for his cooking and Nick Rhodes make a really good team in the kitchen. “

The White Harte hasn’t totally lost its Conservative connections. MP Claire Perry still holds her surgery in an upstairs room. Members of the Conservative Club have access to the upstairs snooker and pool tables as well as receiving a 10% discount in the bar/restaurant.

There is music every Saturday evening with DJ Ian Quigly from Devizes who plays all sorts of music but has a penchant for the 60’s.  Special Irish evenings with Declan are held three times a year.

“It’s a pleasure to work here, everything is brand new, there is even air conditioning for the hot weather,” says Jackie.

The White Harte is taking bookings for its Christmas menu which will be served from November 9, £15 for two courses, £20 for three courses.

There is also a two bedroomed flat available to rent for £900 pcm.