Breathing New Life Into an Old Pub

A little over three years ago, the Central Pub in Ramsey was closed, the lights were switched off, the lines emptied, it even went up for sale.

Despite all that, the Central is back with new landladies determined to create an environment for everyone to enjoy, whether they want a quiet pint or a dance.

Paulette and Emma Bevan-Kelly have taken over the pub in Ramsey’s Parliament Square and have already put their mark on it with a new paint job inside and the introduction of a new range of drinks.

Having previously run the Royal George and the Stanley Hotel, Paulette was offered the chance to take on the Central and having taken a couple of weeks to think it over, the couple decided it was right for them.

The decision has proved popular with people in the town (who doesn’t love to see a pub reopen).

Paulette said: ‘Lots of older people and young people, generations of the same family are coming in, and they’re glad that it’s open again, because this is where they had their first pint and then you get the older people who never thought they’d be able to have a pint in here again, so it’s been quite nice listening to their stories.’

She said putting their own stamp on the pub was important to them and they wanted to make it ‘somewhere people could walk into and feel happy and energised’.

But while one side of the pub has been decorated to reflect this new energised mood, the other side has retained its TT orientated classic look with paintings by Paul Parker brightening up both rooms.

With plans to improve the beer garden and further improve the pub, the future looks bright for the Central and its new management team.