‘Dream come true’
Musicians Jodie Munday and partner Michael Gates are ‘living the dream’ as they take over the reins at the historic King’s Arms pub in Horsham. And landlords all over the district are ready to welcome customers back inside -
A young Horsham couple are ‘living the dream’ after taking over the reins of their local pub.
And Jodie Munday and partner Michael Gates say they ‘can’t wait’ to reopen the doors of the King’s Arms in Horsham’s Bishopric on Monday.
The couple - who are both musicians and well known on the entertainment scene - have lived almost next door to the King’s Arms for the past four years.
“We have been regulars there,” said Jodie. “It’s been an extension of our living room for the past four years. We’ve eaten there, drunk there and got to know the regulars and staff. It’s been our living room for such a long time that we want to extend it to other people and make it a cosy, welcoming and inviting place.”
The couple have never run a pub before but both have experience of working in bars and catering. Michael comes from a family of renowned chefs and Jodie has run an events company, as well as their music work.
“For the last 10 or so years running a pub has always been a plan for the future,” said Jodie. “We’re so in love with the pub it’s almost a dream come true.”
Taking over as landlords came about almost by chance when they noticed the previous landlord moving out. They applied to the brewery - North and South Leisure - to take over and are now looking forward to opening next week as lockdown restrictions are lifted. “It’s so exciting,” said Jodie. Many people in Horsham have got to know the couple through their music after they formed the duo Small Town Kids. “Perhaps we’ll have to change our name now to Small Town Publicans,” joked Jodie.
Craig Vit, landlord at the Cricketers Arms in Wisborough Green, is also looking forward to next week, when customers will at last be allowed back inside the pub.
“It will make a hell of a difference,” he said. “We’re all getting there now. Getting back to normal life. It’s going the right way now.”
The Cricketers Arms is set to hold a beer festival over the late May bank holiday weekend – announced on Sunday by Craig.
But he said it will feel odd to see customers inside after so many months of restrictions. “It’s going to be a bit strange. It’s been so long that no one’s been in the pub – it’s going to be a weird one.”
He added that he is ‘definitely excited’ for the latest reopening but is already looking ahead to June 21 when the Government hopes to scrap all coronavirus restrictions: “We’re looking at a big opening party – welcome everyone back.”
Karen Dawson, manager of the Crown in Horsham’s Carfax, said the first time she can welcome customers back will be ‘amazing’. The pub has been repainted ahead of reopening and she is looking forward to seeing customers once again.
She added: “We have kept in touch with our regulars by weekly phone calls and WhatsApp groups. We have lost a couple of customers which brings home [the severity of coronavirus].”
Karen said regulars often stop staff in the street to check in on them. “We do have a very strong community feel here – the heart of Horsham – it’s how most of our customers see us. We can’t wait to see them come back.”
And Scott Watkins, who manages the Crown in Cootham with his wife Natalie, said he is excited ahead of reopening on Tuesday, but also anxious that it goes well.
“We have all been through the mill,” he said. “Anxious but very, very excited.”
The couple took the pub over in January 2020, just two months before the country was plunged into lockdown. And after three government enforced closures due to coronavirus restrictions Scott said he wants to reopen in a safe way. “It’s important we get it right and we remain safe - at the same time make money.”
The pub recently unveiled its revamped beer garden, and has enjoyed success through diversifying, including a Mexican menu and takeaway food.