In just under three short years Colin and Emma Spry have developed their own themed bar and restaurant, scooped a major national pub company award and even managed to squeeze in an appearance on hit Channel 4 TV show Wife Swap.

Their pub adventure started with a viewing of the Punch Taverns owned Fizgig and Firkin, a disused music venue set within a fabulous listed building in the heart of Exeter city centre.

Colin said: “We always felt Exeter was missing a good place to eat, drink and celebrate and with our American concept, which focused on great food, welcoming surroundings and fantastic service, we knew we had a strong idea.

“The missing piece was a venue and that’s where Punch Taverns was able to help and support our plans.”

The couple had signed up for Wife Swap long before they signed their Punch lease.  But filming took place as the new look venue started to take shape and in a fortunate twist of fate the now notorious episode featuring Rochdale mother of eight Lizzie Bardsley was broadcast three weeks after Starz opened its doors.

“We were doing OK but then the floodgates opened and suddenly we were serving 350 meals a week,” recalls Colin.  “The publicity increased our trade tenfold and gave the business the kick start it needed.”

Colin and Emma’s hard work and determination was officially recognised this year with success in the Shine awards, an annual reward and recognition scheme for Punch licensees.

They overcame 1,200 other pubs to win the competition, raising more than £5,000 for a local charity in the process.