EXCLUSIVEPub boss hits out after historic town centre bar blasted for 'horrific' paintjob as critics compare it to 'grey plague'
- Locals have blasted the new paintwork scheme at Ten Degrees in Caerphilly
A pub boss has hit out at critics after it was blasted for a 'horrific' dark paint job that has been compared to a 'grey plague'.
For at least 200 years, The Wheatsheaf had stood proudly in Caerphilly town centre and for as long as anyone can remember it was painted white.
Over the years the window frames were given a lick of colour - until recently they were purple.
But the new owners have raised eyebrows after going for a contemporary dark shade of grey, one of Britain's favourite colours for homes and cars in the 21st century.
For at least 200 years, The Wheatsheaf had stood proudly in Caerphilly town centre and for as long as anyone can remember it was painted white but the new owners have raised eyebrows after going for a contemporary dark shade of grey, one of Britain's favourite colours for homes and cars in the 21st century
The pub, now named Ten Degrees, stands opposite medieval Caerphilly Castle, the oldest in Wales, famous for its leaning tower, wonkier than the one in Pisa.
In front of the pub is a statue of much-loved comic Tommy Cooper, born in Caerphilly 103 years ago.
But when it comes to the pub's new paint job critics are not seeing the funny side.
Taking to X, formerly Twitter, regulars described the paintjob on the exterior of the watering hole as 'gross' and the 'grey plague'.
Retired Asda cashier Sherrene Collins, 66, of Blackwood, said: 'It's just not a happy colour and we could do with some happiness here. It's too dour.
'It doesn't drag you in - perhaps they should have some hanging baskets to cheer it up.'
Retired chartered accountant Robert Jones, 80, from Caerphilly, who had just dined in the restaurant, said: 'The colour isn't my favourite, it's too grey.
'That colour is the trend these days but it looked better when it was white.
'My wife and I had lunch there and it was very good. It's inside that counts.'
A grey wall can be seen on the pub from a Google Street View photo of the pub, which was taken in October 2015
Mother-of-two Charley Davies, 37 added: 'It looks a bit drab and uninviting - it's a modern colour but it doesn't work on a pub.
'Caerphilly needs brightening up - the pub is the colour of some of the skies we've had in the winter.
'If they wanted to change it, why not go for a pastel colour? Something a bit easier on the eye than dark grey.'
But hairdresser Saywan Zainalpoor, who works in a salon close to Ten Degrees, said: 'I'm very happy with it. I know the owner so if that's his choice of colour then that's fine with me.
'He comes here to have his haircut so I'm not going to stay anything against it. If he's happy, I'm happy.'
Waitress Catherine Donovan, 23, who works in a restaurant opposite the pub, said: 'It's a big improvement on what it was like before - I think it looks lovely.
'If you compare it to other buildings in Caerphilly, it is elegant and classy. It's been upgraded compared to what it was like before.'
Electrical contractor Rob Llewellyn, 46, said: 'My kitchen units are that colour and my wife chose them. I call it a sludgy greeny grey, you see it everywhere these days. It's dull and boring.
Locals are up in arms over the changes to the pub following the fresh paintjob by new owners
'I can remember when the pub was white and looked like a traditional town centre pub.
'I don't like the colour but you have to move with the times.'
The pub, once the haunt of drug users and down-and-outs, has been completely revamped since a former NHS nurse and her husband took over.
At Christmas they brightened up the grey by wrapping the building in a huge illuminated bow.
Assistant general manager Alan Tomos told MailOnline: 'You have to come inside to appreciate the theme of copper and charcoal properly.
'We are bringing class and sophistication to the town - if you look around there are many derelict buildings here. Moan about them instead of the colour of 10 degrees.
'The owners should be appreciated for what they've done.'
