Calling time on a great life running a pub

They have almost 70 years experience of being a landlord between them.

And, as they prepare to retire, these pub experts have more than a lifetime's worth of great memories.

Dave Browning, owner of the River and Rail, in Hampton Loade, near Bridgnorth, has decided to call time on his fascinating career.

The 71-year-old, who built the business up from scratch after moving to the area in 1975, is ready to sell up to spend time with daughters and grandchildren, who are living in France and Australia.

Meanwhile, a couple who have been at the helm of a pub in Shropshire for 30 years have also decided to step out from behind the bar and put their feet up.

Kate and Alan Hudson, both 66, took charge of The Stags Head pub in Great Hales Street, Market Drayton in 1983. They only intended to stay for a while, but stayed for three decades.

All three are full of stories of quirky characters, long happy nights and the odd brush with celebrity.

Dave has extended his Hampton Loade pub to two-acres, built a five-bedroomed house as his home and even had to turn Status Quo away from his restaurant after building up his business.

"There was a wooden cafe, owned by Sid and Jane Lincoln, which did a bit of trade for the fishermen and had a liquor licence, which held a lot of value in those days," he said.

"They owned two or three businesses in Hampton Loade. I ran it the same way between 1975 and 1978 when we took it over, but when we started a family we closed it for three years.

"We then applied for planning permission for a nice, small restaurant, but I told it needed to be built with bricks, so we decided to make it a much larger premises to make it worthwhile.

"The footings were soon put in. I did all the labouring and employed the brickies."

Over two-and-a-half years Mr Browning built it up bit by bit and eventually opened the Haywain Restaurant in 1981.

"We didn't have a grand opening or anything like that but we were soon in the Good Food Guide, the Best Restaurant Guide and eventually got a Michelin grade," he said.

"My ex-wife, Cathy, was training at food college in Birmingham, and then took care of all the food side of things.

"We kept it as a restaurant but when we split up I closed it for a year before reopening as the River and Rail in 2000.

"The only pub in Hampton, which was owned by the Whittle family for years, was eventually closed meaning the village no longer had one.

"My daughter, Juliet, who has a great business brain, took over the running the business for a while, so we closed it as the Haywain and reopened as the River and Rail Country Inn, which also suited the economic situation at the time.

"I took it back over again and I'm still running it today.

"My other daughter, Melissa, went to work abroad and had planned to visit Australia, New Zealand and Asia, but she only got as far as Australia after falling in love and getting married 10 years ago.

"My mother, Lily Browning, who passed away in January, aged 95, was my last close relative in England.

"I'm 71 myself now and still working 24/7, which is what you've got to do to make a business a success, but I feel now is the time to move on."

The pub and house are now on the market with Halls Wilkins Commercial for £575,000 and Dave believes the right buyer could improve the business even more. Much is said about the pub industry going through a tough patch, but Dave says there is much to be optimistic about.

"I think for someone young and ambitious this is a great venue," he said.

"If I knew I would live for another 20 years I'd put another 10 years in, expand it and then retire, but life is precious so I'd rather spend as much time with my family as possible. Only last Sunday we did 300 main meals in six hours.

"Since I moved here, the pub and its gardens have grown from three-quarters of an acre to two acres and there's been planning permission for another extension since 2005."

Before moving into the pub trade Dave owned a car recovery and body shop operation, but began his working life as a telephone engineer.

He was also a founder member of the Quinton Motor Club,racing in rallies up and down the country during his younger years.

"I went into business with my father, Walter, in 1956, before he sold up in 1961 with 34 shops," he said. "We then opened Brownings Service Station together, in Halesowen, eventually finishing up with car sales, an accident and repair shop, a recovery service and Warley Motor Salvage. I used to work at the garage from 7.30am until 6.30pm, and then behind the bar until the early hours of the morning, before doing it all again. I finished with that business in 2000."

When the restaurant was at its peak Dave served the likes of Richard Branson and former Birmingham City chief executive, Karren Brady.

"Once I had to turn Status Quo away, simply because we didn't have any room," he said.

"We were known all over the place for our seven-course meals, which would last from 7.30pm until 11pm. It's the sort of business which I believe would take off again because the rich seem to be getting richer, while the poor get poorer.

"The pub also serves canoeist, ramblers, fishermen and people using the Hampton Loade ferry and the Severn Valley Railway. It's such a great location. And I've had some great staff, most of whom I'm still in contact with. Carolyn, our cleaner, has been with me 22 years.

"I've had such a great life but now it's time to spend it with my family. I'll be travelling with a camper van, so I'll be taking in some of the sights as well when I visit my daughters in France and Australia."

Kate and Alan Hudson, both 66, also want to spend more time with family.

Since the couple took charge of The Stags Head pub in Market Drayton in 1983, they have seen their family expand and now have six grandchildren.

When they first came to Market Drayton they also took over at The Crown pub in nearby Stafford Street and continued to run that until 1986.

For three and a half years they managed The Crown and The Stags Head simultaneously.

They have hosted numerous charity events, sports teams and receptions for weddings and funerals.

Kate said: "We weren't initially planning to stay in this area for so long.

"But we had children, who settled in school and grew up, and now we have six grandchildren too so it is nice to stay close to family.

"When we retire, spending more time with the family will be a priority as you can't always see people as much as you'd like when you run a pub."

She said they have made many friends over the years and seen the industry go through dramatic changes.

She said the first few years were the best before the recession hit, but now there is a lack of commitment and a lack of money in the industry.

The Stags Head owners, Marston's, will now begin advertising for a new landlord to take over. Kate and Alan say it is the perfect job for the right person.

They agree that The Stags Head, has a strong following of older customers who enjoy a week day lunch and a game of dominoes, but that it has a lot of potential for evening events too.

"I think in the next few years it will pick up, but not in my time," she added.

"We're ready to relax at home and see the grandkids but The Stags Head is a good local pub and, in the right hands, could stay at the very heart of the community by offering something for all ages.

"We'll miss our locals – but are also excited to see what the future holds for this pub."