Long Sutton pub has a new ownership

A popular Long Sutton watering hole is preparing to reopen next month with new management at the helm.

The Ship, on London Road, has been taken over by Andrew Skinner who now has big plans for the well-known pub.

Mr Skinner bought the premises three years ago but, after having renovated the property, he had focused his attentions on other interests.

However, when the previous manager moved on last year, Mr Skinner, who spent 40 years working in IT, decided it was time to try running a pub for the very first time.

He said: “I bought the pub as an investment for my retirement and after my tenant left I decided that I could run it myself.

“I’ve spent enough time the other side of the bar so I reckon I’ll be okay!

“I’ve done a lot to it - there’s more work going on at the moment - and it’s a really nice building with a good atmosphere.”

Mr Skinner is planning on reopening the pub, which is thought to have been created after two cottages were converted in around 1860, on May 28.

Although he would have liked to have opened when lockdown restrictions were eased on April 12, the British weather was a worry.

He said: “I was a bit worried about the weather with people sitting outside.

“We have quite a lot of outside space, with ten benches to the front and six more to the back, but it gets cold by 6pm. The garden is looking good and we have some new furniture inside but I didn’t want to rush it - I want to get it right.”

Mr Skinner is planning what he will be offering by way of a food menu - and is also looking at putting on some special drinks for the summer to raise spirits after a trying year.

Mr Skinner said: “I’m a big food fan so I want to get a chef in so that we can offer well cooked and presented food made with good ingredients - it’ll be a proper pub grub menu.

“We have a reasonable choice of drinks on offer and I’m thinking about putting some cocktails on the menu for the summer - there’s nothing nicer in the summer than sitting outside with a long drink.

“Hopefully we will get another good summer. We definitely deserve it!”

Mr Skinner isn’t daunted by the prospect of running the pub.

He added: “I’ve got my finger on the pulse and I believe if you give a good product, people will come back.

“Everyone is welcome as long as they behave themselves.”