Fenland pub brings back ‘family atmosphere’ as it reopens

New landlords are hoping to bring a ‘family atmosphere’ back to a town pub which re-opened at the weekend.

The Ship at Long Sutton was serving pints once again from Saturday, while a free hog roast was put on for punters to welcome in the new era and raise some cash for charity.

“We were excited and looking forward to meeting lots of new customers, but also welcoming back some of the older regulars who remember the Ship as it was,” said Polly Colyer, who has taken over the pub with partner Gary Edwards.

“I don’t know what the Ship was like before, all I know is it was a busy pub.

“But we do want a family element. We want to be family friendly.”

The pub is planning to start offering food very soon, while other elements of pub life may or may not be introduced.

“We’ve got to see what our customers want,” Polly, who is from Lynn, added.

“We want to get to know our customers and see what they want from a local pub, that’s the best way to go.”

Polly and Gary are new to the pub trade, but both have experience behind the bar working shifts for family members who run the town’s Crown and Woolpack.

“We started a Facebook page and the people on there have been so kind to us, looking forward for us to open,” said Polly, thrilled by how the public reacted to the news the venue would re-open after sitting dormant in the town.

“I think we need something this end of Long Sutton. The other pubs are up the other end.

“The neighbours are looking forward to it re-opening. I’m just looking forward to meeting everybody.”

The Ship will open from 11am to 11pm on Tuesdays to Sundays, and also open on Bank Holiday Mondays.

Saturday’s hog roast saw Gary and Polly take donations for food, which raised funds for the Alzheimer’s Society.

The first punter through the door also won an ‘I Got Ship Wrecked’ commemorative T-shirt.