The landlady of a popular Hove pub has taken on a second premises, this time in Portslade.
Zoe Rogers, who runs the George Payne, on the corner of Payne Avenue and Kendal Road, Hove, will also run the Whistlestop, in Station Road, Portslade.
She took over the George Payne, an Enterprise Inns property formerly known as the Kendal Arms, two years ago and last year won Best Turnaround Pub at the Great British Pub Awards.
Miss Rogers will run the Whistlestop as it until Thursday 1 January, according to the Publican’s Morning Advertiser, the licensed trade publication.
She will then close the Punch Taverns pub for a few months for a full refurbishment before reopening it under its old name, the Railway Inn.
The Morning Advertiser quoted her as saying: “I felt that I had got the George Payne to where I wanted it to be and now was the time to move on to a fresh challenge.
“I approached Punch about the Whistlestop because I fell in love with it in exactly the same way as the George Payne.
“There is so much potential there. There is a big kitchen that is underused and the customer base is already there for a good pub selling decent food.
“There is also a big function room and with the location next to the train station and not many neighbours it is a perfect location for live music and comedy.”
Absolutely delighted to hear this news. I cannot wait for there to be a decent, family friendly pub in this area. Boundary Road has been crying out for something like this for years. Roll on the Railway Inn!