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Barmaid ‘asked out every day’ and pub gets loads of new customers after 20ft mural of her painted on wall of pub

A WARTIME-themed pub is enjoying a surge in trade — thanks to a mural of the barmaid.

The Forces sweetheart-style 20ft painting of Chelsea Isaac appeared on the wall of the Fortune of War last week.

Chelsea Isaac appeared in a 20ft painting on the wall of the Fortune of War
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Chelsea Isaac appeared in a 20ft painting on the wall of the Fortune of WarCredit: Wayne Perry
The Forces sweetheart-style painting attracted new costumers
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The Forces sweetheart-style painting attracted new costumers

Single mum Chelsea, 30, whose dad Gordon owns the pub in Torquay, said: “I absolutely love it.

“I have had a lot of compliments about it.

“We have had loads of new customers come in to ask about it.

"The best compliment I have had is from a World War Two veteran who said, ‘You remind me of my childhood sweetheart’ — and they were married for 70 years.

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"It all ties in with the wartime theme of the pub.”

Artist Eloise Johnson, known as Mrs Murals, was commissioned by Gordon to paint Chelsea in a green dress, stockings and black heels with red poppies and butterfly wings.

One local, Ashley Sims, 52, said: “There are a lot of new people coming to see what is going on.

"She [Chelsea] has been asked out every day since it went up.”

Landscaper Steve Grover, 50, added: “I think it’s brilliant — people are noticing the pub a lot more even though it has always been here.

“It was only finished last week but we have seen a lot of new faces since.

"It is predominantly a blokes’ pub but it is nice that somebody has done something different.”

Artist Eloise said: “The reaction has been fantastic from both Chelsea and the public.”

Chelsea says: 'I have had a lot of compliments about it'
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Chelsea says: 'I have had a lot of compliments about it'Credit: Wayne Perry
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