Villagers’ support leaves pub owners in high spirits

Pub owners have praised the community for its vital support during a first year of trading.

Miss Sally Baker and Mr Martin Thomas-Taylor reopened the Lord Nelson pub in Sutton-on-Trent last December after it closed unexpectedly the previous October.

At one time Sutton-on-Trent had four pubs — the Lord Nelson, Nag’s Head, Dolphin Inn and the Old England Hotel — but only the Lord Nelson remains.

The owners are both residents of the village and Miss Baker said it was important for Sutton-on-Trent to have a pub.

“Taking it over wasn’t something we had planned on doing,” she said.

“But both of us had 20 years’ experience in the industry and it seemed like the best option.

“We had a couple come in who were so thankful we were open because they were looking to buy a house in the village and had almost given up because they were worried there wasn’t a pub.

“That’s how intrinsic to village life the pub is.

“This is a big village with a school and lots of businesses, so it would have been disastrous if the Lord Nelson had stayed closed.”

Over the past year the owners have refurbished the pub, installed a new kitchen, added seven bedrooms and opened a recreation room.

Villagers helped improve the beer garden at the rear of the pub, which had become a mud heap.

'It's a village that welcomes you with open arms'

Miss Baker said: “When we first opened there was such a massive effort from everyone in the village to make sure we were ready in time for Christmas.

“Without their support we wouldn’t have been able to achieve everything we have over the past year.

“It’s a village that welcomes you with open arms.

“Our first thought when we look to complete some work is to contact local businesses to see if we can use their services.

“There are so many stories of pubs going out of business in rural communities, but I’m so pleased with how far we have come.”

The owners aim to improve usage of the pub during the day, and to contact more groups who could use its facilities.

“People ask who we want to attract to the pub and we just reply that it’s for everyone,” Mr Thomas-Taylor said.

“The goal is to ensure the pub isn’t just about the night-life, because that aspect takes care of itself, but getting different people and groups in during the day as well.

“We have strong links with the school, pre-schools and church groups and we regularly host meetings here for organisations in the village.”