'I've just become an 18-year-old pub landlady - what could possibly go wrong'
A woman has become Britain's youngest landlady after taking over her local pub at the age of 18. She's determined to make the pub a success for regulars as well as a new crowd of customers.
Neve Baker-Wright had waitressed in pubs from the age of 14 but didn't know what to do with herself after finishing her A-Levels. Now, she's running an 18th century pub in her local Lincolnshire village after taking on the lease from its previous landlords.
The new landlady - thought to be one of the youngest in Britain - says she's relishing the challenge ahead and is hoping to "entice a younger generation" as well as keeping the "fantastic locals" happy. Neve, of Ropesley in Lincolnshire, said: "Lots of people just said give it a shot and at first I thought 'no way' because I'm only 18.
"I've never done anything like this before. My family had said to me, 'What could possibly go wrong?' and my response was, 'Well, quite a lot!' But the more encouragement I got, the more I started to believe I could do it, and here I am now. I was apprehensive at first, but I'm really looking forward to the challenge ahead."
The previous landlords had suggested that Neve present a business plan to the Admiral Taverns owners because they were retiring. She had studied business at A-Level and was stunned when they told her it was one of the best business plans they had ever seen.
Neve, who said Malibu, Coke, and Pimm's are amongst her favourite tipples, was handed the keys on July 30 and opened on August 1 with a live band. She now wants to introduce theme nights and cocktail evenings and make the boozer more family-friendly.
Neve, who turns 19 in September, added: "It has been hard work, I'm in at 6am most days but it has been going really well so far and everybody has been so supportive. We have quiz nights, bingo and seniors lunches but we want our customers to be from right across the spectrum and everyone is welcome.
"The garden is great and I'm hoping to be able to invest in some play equipment and a decking stage, so we can have some live local music. I have lots of plans and I'm determined for the challenge ahead. Everyone has been so friendly and helpful so far so I'm feeling positive."
The pub is also something of a family affair, with her dad, Andy Baker, taking on the role of chef. Neve joked: "He doesn't mind being told what to do by me, he loves it - I think. My mum and step-mum helped clean the place up and get it all ready [too].
"We've already tweaked the menu, adding burgers, steaks, ribs and pies. We want to offer people more choice. We are hoping to get a new lager in, and we have lots of brilliant cask ales and guest ales.
Proud dad Andy said he knows his daughter will "put the hours in" and make the pub a success. He continued: "It's a tough industry, so for someone like Neve to blank that out, I'm hoping with her enthusiasm it will inspire more people."
The number of pubs in the UK has steadily decreased every year since 2000, according to the British Beer and Pub Association. Some 15,000 pubs have closed in that time, including 289 last year - the equivalent of six a week.
The BBPA claims that stark figures suggest that one pub will close every single day in 2025 across Great Britain. The organisation adds that "it is not too late' for the Government to solve the issue by swiftly reforming business rates for the sector, which is amongst the most highly taxed industries in the UK.
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