Landlords of a popular Bristol pub are calling time on their roles after 21 years. Elaine Monaghan and partner Billy have been landlords at The Mouse pub in Westbury-on-Trym for more than two decades, but will be “handing over the keys” on November 11.
Taking to Facebook to share the news, Elaine said: “As most of you will know, Billy and I have decided to call time after 21 years in The Mouse pub. We feel the time is right for us to leave.
“We will be having drinks next Saturday evening, the 26th, if you would like to join us. We will be having our last day on Sunday 10th of November if you can’t make it next week. We would love to see you before we go.
“We hand over the keys on the 11th of November to two amazing women Izzy and Hannah, who we feel will do an amazing job looking after the locals and the pub.”
The news comes after the pub was put up for sale earlier this year. Back in April, BristolLive reported that the much loved pub, which boasts ‘one of the best beer gardens in the city’, was on the market for the first time in decades.
Elaine told Bristol Live at the time: “We have put the pub on the market as we’re retiring from the pub trade after 20 amazing years in The Mouse and also running pubs in London. We will really miss The Mouse as Billy and myself have brought up our children Andrew and Lauren and have made some amazing friends.
“It’s time for someone else to start their new chapter in The Mouse, they won’t regret it. It is an amazing pub set in a lovely area of Westbury-on-Trym, with an amazing beer garden which has won loads of awards.”
Agents at Sprosen Ltd, who listed the property, described the opportunity as a “superb public house in a sought-after Bristol location”, adding that this was the first time it had been available for 20 years. According to their brochure, the pub “benefits from a working fire and has many original features” and is “traditionally decorated”. There is fixed seating for 16 people and loose seating to accommodate a further 70. It adds that there is “vertical drinking” space for a further 20 customers.
Quiz nights and live music “feature heavily in the pub” and there are also three flat-screen televisions where TNT and SKY Sport fixtures are screened. Outside there is an “extensive garden which can seat up to 100 customers, with beautiful views across the surrounding area” including Blaise Castle and Henbury Golf Course.
Taking to the comments section following the announcement on Sunday, locals called it “the end of an era”. One said: “It will be the end of an era for us all but it’s a rest that’s been a long time coming for you and Billy. We will definitely come on 26th to wish you both well.”
A second said: “It will never be the same without you guys behind the bar. Looking forward to seeing you off in style.” While a third commented: “End of an era. All the best to you both. You will be missed and so will your ploughman’s lunch and chilli con carne!”