Grantham family take over Long Sutton pub
It’s a time for new beginnings at a much loved Long Sutton pub.
After having worked their magic on Palmers Ale House and Kitchen, Sean and Dana Portass have handed over the keys to the new leaseholders who have fantastic plans in the pipeline.
Sophie Holden will be taking the helm at the popular pub with help from her parents Nick and Kate who will split their time between Long Sutton and their other pub near Grantham.
She said: “We just fell in love instantly when we saw the building with its pink paint and thatched roof - it’s so gorgeous. Once we had been for a look around we decided we’d run the two pubs together. Palmers will be our town mouse and the Geese and Fountain in Croxton Kerrial will be our country mouse.
“We really want to build on what Sean and Dana have done here - we aren’t coming in and changing it. We are keeping the staff and everything we have seen and heard about the food, we want to build on.We do want to bring it to be an ale house like it says in the name.
“Lincolnshire has a wealth of breweries and small distilleries, so we want to focus on moving the bar towards having real craft ale brewed in the area and spirits distilled in the local area too.
“We want the bar and food to showcase what the area has to offer - ensuring supplies are from the area. It’s not going to just be the experience of coming to a pub in Long Sutton, but it will be that everything showcases what Long Sutton and Spalding have to offer.
“It will be more specific to what makes Long Sutton what it is.”
While Sophie will be spending the majority of her time at the pub, Nick, who has a background in hospitality and IT will also be spending plenty of time working in the establishment.
Kate, who spent 20 years working as a nurse in an intensive care unit, before taking on the award winning Geese and Fountain six years ago, runs the kitchen at the family’s first pub but will still pay Palmers a visit from time to time.
Sophie added: “We’d like to have a welcoming attitude to everybody - we’re new to the area but we aren’t new to the community sense of living in small towns.
“We want this to feel like people feel at home here.”
The family is hoping to fully open Palmers in early August and both Sean and Dana are looking forward to visiting when they return to the area from Norfolk.
Dana said: “For us, the distance was the reason for handing over the lease. I wouldn’t want to do this half-heartedly from afar so it was the right decision and I think we can walk away proud.
“The family has got really exciting ideas and Sean and I think they are great. We wish them all the best and hope that the Long Sutton folk welcome them and carry on supporting them.
“After Covid, it’s going to be difficult for anyone to open a venue so I really hope they get the support and I’m confident people won’t be disappointed.
“It’s going to be great for the town.”
