|
From the
https://www.kentonline.co.uk By Millie Bowles, 11 July 2024.
University of Kent politics student, 18, quits to run The Bowl Inn in Hastingleigh, near Ashford.
The stereotype of work-shy university students swerving lectures to sink
pints is almost as old as time.
But one Kent 18-year-old quit a politics degree not to spend his days in
a wall-eyed stupor at the pub – but to run the place.
Hugo Willett could now be Kent’s youngest publican after bravely taking
over the reins at The Bowl Inn, a thriving 1740s traditional tavern in
Hastingleigh, near Ashford.
Speaking from behind the bar this week, the softly-spoken and articulate
teenager revealed his vision and laid bare his understandable anxieties.
Hugo’s takeover comes as swathes of restaurants and pubs have shut
throughout Kent and the UK as bills soar and drinking habits change.
But The Bowl appears to have stood firm in the storm by sticking to its
roots while steadily watching its repeat customer base swell.
Now, the former University of Kent student hopes to prove being a
landlord is not just an older person’s game.
Hugo Willet, 18, quit uni to takeover The Bowl Inn, Hastingleigh.
Hugo explained: “Although I have a strong interest in politics - hence
doing that at uni - I had to jump at the opportunity to have my dream
career running such a beautiful traditional pub.
“Ultimately, it’s what I have always wanted to do so it was the right
decision to leave uni in favour of running The Bowl.”
The free house was run by Annie Blown for 20 years before she recently
took a step back.
It has been largely unchanged for 300 years and was hailed by the
Campaign For Real Ale (CAMRA) on several occasions for its beer while in
the Blown family’s capable hands.
An army of dedicated regulars frequents the boozer - a prospect which
was somewhat daunting for the young barman.
Hugo Willett says running The Bowl Inn, Hastingleigh is his dream job.
He told KentOnline: “I knew all the locals already because I've grown up
in the local area.
“But, it was a bit daunting having the locals coming back in after we
reopened having closed for a few days during handover.
“I was worried that they wouldn't like the new changes - not that much
has changed - but I still had a little bit of doubt about that.
“But so far it's been incredible. We're overwhelmed with the amount of
support we've had from locals and new faces as well.
“I think the locals are just pleased to have a local pub at all really.”
Hugo hopes to maintain the tavern’s reputation for good beer and work to
support nearby breweries and suppliers.
“Local produce is really important to us, especially local beer and real
ale.
“It has been in the CAMRA Good Beer Guide for the last 18 years so it’s
a bit of a responsibility to keep up.
“We want to keep going with that record and support local breweries.”
One of the changes he has already made is introducing more food.
He said: “We’ve started doing more food at the weekend which there
hasn’t been properly for a few years.
“Bringing in food for walkers and they're able to walk up and bring
their dog and have a sandwich, that kind of thing.”
However, the teen recognises that the key thing about running the
village inn is not changing too much.
“The building has pretty much been largely unchanged for the past 300 or
so years,” he said.
“So I think a key aspect of running this place is maintaining that
history and not bringing in masses and masses of change - keeping it how
it is because that works for the local village.
“The locals all absolutely love The Bowl. It's about maintaining that
history, but also breathing some fresh life in.”
A longer wine list has also been added and there are plans for more live
music.
Village favourites such as the monthly quiz and annual beer festival
will stay.
Hugo has passed his relevant exams for his licence but is waiting for
the council to send him confirmation.
In the meantime, it is operating under the licence of his dad Harry, who
is casting a watchful eye while his son gets to grips.
Harry has experience in the industry, having previously run The "Tiger" in Stowting and
the "Black Horse" in Monks Horton.
Hugo also has some pint-pulling under his belt, having worked front and
back of house in a few local watering holes.
“It's daunting from the aspect of there's a lot to do, and obviously
it's a big change for me coming from just working in them as opposed to
actually being in charge,” he said.
“But I've got my parents behind me, backing me 100% and they've run pubs
in the past. They've got experience and they know how it all works.”
The long-term plan is for Hugo to run the business himself.
“I think it's really good for the industry to be having younger people
coming in,” he continued.
“It's quite difficult for pubs in local villages to be making money
these days.
“That's why you see so many closing down or being taken over by bigger
breweries and such.
“So I think it's really good that our local village has a free house,
and to have such a young landlord running the place I think is really
nice.
“Just to breathe some fresh air into the community and get some younger
faces in the pub.”
When he’s not pulling pints, young Hugo likes politics, history and
working on his classic car, a 1971 MGB GT.
One of the biggest challenges will be The Bowl’s hotly-anticipated
annual beer festival, which is taking place on August bank holiday
Monday.
Hugo added: “We've got bands all day, face painting for the kids, a
barbecue, lots of food, real ales and local beers.
“It’s all in aid of the Pilgrims Hospice too.” |
)