MyNewPub

Bull Inn

Thorpe Morieux, Suffolk

Agent: UK Pub Sales

The Bull Inn is a country freehouse and has just been taken on by Carol Gibson, who was previously the general manager of a bus-cleaning company in London.

She wanted a change and also a quiet place to look after her elderly parents who are now living in a detached house in the pub's grounds that was included as part of the sale.

She said: "I've been here for three weeks and I'm absolutely loving it - it's not like work at all. I've slipped into running it nicely. I've always liked going to pubs, and handling the beer is nowhere near as difficult as people say. We've had some excellent feedback."

Gibson has lots of plans for the pub, including installing a central-heating system, a disabled toilet and expanding the food offer.

She said: "Some of the skills that I learnt at my last job, and the one before that where I was in charge of purchasing, have come in extremely handy - I'm getting some very good deals from my suppliers. I think my past roles have also given me some good people skills."

Turnover doubled within the first three weeks and she is confident that takings will continue to rise. The opening hours have also been increased and the pub is now open from 4pm till close Monday to Friday, and 12 noon to close Saturday and Sunday.

Gibson is running the Bull with the help of her niece, who works with her on a part-time basis.