A PASSIONATE publican has taken over the running of a pub where she has many happy memories.

Last month Emma Winslade and her husband Jay took up the tenancy on the Crook and Shears in Upper Clatford.

Having previously been assistant manager at The Folly and Poplar Farm Inn, both in Andover, Emma is now at the helm.

She has gone from being a customer of the pub to now behind the bar and is excited to be able to put her stamp on the watering hole.

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She said: “I’ve run two pubs, so I’m used to long hours, pulling pints and having banter.

“I grew up in the village, so I know everybody and I have a lot of memories in the pub, I was proposed to there and had my wedding there. I did say I will own it one day and here we are. I used to live with my nan and grandad in village and the Crook and Shears was always somewhere we would go – it was lovely.”

Emma began the process of taking over the tenancy last year when there was word that the then current owners were looking to move on. She contacted Stonegate Pub Partners for information and the rest is history.

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Since taking over the pub Emma seen the outside repainted and internal improvements, but she also has plans to attract a variety of people to the inn.

“The skittle alley will remain for functions and when that isn’t in use it will become a formal dining area,” Emma added. “There will be hearty pub food and we have a pool room to attract the younger generation.”

Emma said that she also hopes to hold a summer ball later this year to get people to come back to the pub, while making the “Crook how it used to be”.

Her husband Jay will also be helping out when needed, but having never pulled a pint, Emma said that she will have to give him a lesson or two.

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