May 1994 - Caretaker Landlords
The Seavington News - May, 94
THE VOLUNTEERS
Bert and Maureen Maybury looked after The Volunteer from January until April. They are very experienced in the licensing trade having run the White Horse pub at Ditchling, near Brighton for 14 years and also various other licensed premises.
The Volunteer has been going through a difficult period but Bert and Maureen believe it has a good basis for survival. A good range of real ale is stocked and the pub has a well equipped cellar and excellent kitchen facilities. Bert and Maureen followed a ‘back to basics’ strategy sticking to good beers, friendly service and good pub grub (home cooked by Maureen).
The Volunteer has recently passed into new ownership and the Mayburys have moved on but given their long experience in the licensed trade their views on how the Volunteer could be developed are particularly interesting. Among the things which they suggest could be done to revive the business are opening up the garden, extending the car parking facilities and developing the all important food side of the business. A warm personal welcome for customers is an absolute must and efforts can of course be made to cheer up the premises with a few personal touches such as flowers and a lick of paint.
In the medium term the upstairs accommodation could be developed as attractive bed and breakfast accommodation. Following the regrettable closure of the village shop the pub could also consider the sale of certain core grocery items, for convenience to the village which has now lost it’s local shop.
The Mayburys very much enjoyed their stay in Seavington which they considered to be a particularly attractive part of the Country.
If the Volunteer revives itself Bert and Maureen Maybury will have played an important part in the process at a difficult time.