Long Sutton pub has new licensees in time for further easing of lockdown

There will be new faces behind the bar when the pints are pulled at a Long Sutton pub that is set to reopen next month.

Kerry and Tom O’Mahoney have moved 110 miles from Birmingham to take over The Granary, in Market Street, where they are busy refurbishing the pub in time for the reopening of Britain's nightlife on July 4.

The pub had been run by Scottish Highlands couple Donald and Sheena Clark from May 2019 until their surprise departure in January this year.

Kerry and Tom made the move from the West Midlands city to Long Sutton just before lockdown in March and the couple have been welcomed by people in the town.

"It's been a long few months and people have told us how much they are looking forward to The Granary being open again," Kerry said.

"Those who we've met on the street have been very friendly and we're looking forward to meeting more people when we are open."

Kerry and Tom bring with them at least 20 years of experience in the pub industry, primarily at bar and music venues in the city.

"We had been working very hard in Birmingham where we were at an age to want to slow down a little bit, go to a smaller town and get to know people a little bit better," Kerry said.

"When we moved here in March, we walked straight into lockdown.

"But we're still really enthusiastic and have been hard at it, refurbishing all the bedrooms, putting in new carpets and doing lots of painting.

"The pub's previous owners, Sean and Dana Portass, have been so helpful and they've been really kind to us."

Kerry and Tom, who has played in several bands as a drummer, have a vision of putting on themed meal nights at the pub, including steak, pizza and burgers.

There will also be a range of live bands playing "a real mix" of music types, according to Kerry.

"We want the pub to remain a music venue on Saturday nights," Kerry said.

"We've always had music pubs and everybody likes music so it's very important for us to keep live music going.

"But we're not going to fix something that's not broken which is why The Granary is going to be an eatery as well."

The couple are looking forward to showing customers the new-look beer garden at The Granary.

"I'm sure we're going to get the support from people in Long Sutton because it's a very supportive community," Kerry said.