A Hemel Hempstead resident who took on her local pub on a temporary basis until a new licensee was found, has decided to take on the pub lease herself.
Mary Keenan decided to take over The Three Tuns in Nash Mills in order to keep it open for the community.
To mark the occasion and ensure its long-term future, Heineken owned Star Pubs and Mary are undertaking a joint £155,000 revamp of the pub. The pub will be closed for around three weeks during building work, which starts on Tuesday, August 26, and before its reopening on Saturday, September 20.
The Three Tuns had been closed for six months when Mary gave up her role as a carer to take it on two years ago. She already had experience of running pubs as, prior to caring, she held several pub management positions.
Since taking on the Three Tuns, Mary has reinvigorated the pub, redecorated the interior with the help of regulars who work as tradespeople, and overhauled the garden. She’s created 10 local jobs and also introduced Sky and TNT Sport, quizzes, bingo and live entertainment, as well as hosting charity fundraisers and fun nights.
The investment will see the bar upgraded, new flooring and carpet fitted, the loos redecorated, and a complete revamp of the exterior including new signage and lighting.
Mary says: “The Three Tuns was my little local. I didn’t want it to remain closed, so I opened it on a wing and a prayer, urging residents to use it or lose it.
“My parents had pubs in Buckinghamshire. I managed my first one aged 21 and continued to run pubs for several years. I had been out of the pub industry for five years working as a carer when I realised that I needed to step in if I wanted my local to stay open.
“I am doing everything in my book of tricks to ensure The Three Tuns will be here in 20 years’ time. The only thing left to do was give it a face-lift which Star Pubs and I are now doing. It’s a real community hub now, attracting people of all ages and backgrounds. Women in their 50s and 60s tell me they feel comfortable coming into the pub on their own, which I’m delighted about as it’s important to me that everyone feels safe and welcome. We put on afternoon teas and have darts and pools teams, bingo, quizzes and lots of events. Recently. we had 20 musicians in the garden helping to raise funds for the Mount Vernon Cancer Unit. We also put on a Halloween party for local schoolchildren and Christmas and Easter parties.”
Star Pubs business development manager Rohan Miller adds: “The Three Tuns is a lovely traditional local. Our joint investment is intended to upgrade rather than dramatically alter the pub as we want it to retain its charm, which regulars love.
“Mary has done an amazing job these last two years, selflessly putting her community first. Residents now have a wonderful hub where people can come together to socialise, whether for a drink, entertainment or a cracking Sunday lunch. We’re delighted to be investing in the pub’s future and giving it a smarter exterior which better reflects the excellent level of service that Mary and her team provide. I wish them well.”
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