Weaver and her late husband Graham took over the site in Ashley, Market Drayton, in 2006 and made the Admiral taverns pub a hub of the community. Graham grew up in Ashley and spent much of his youth in the Peel Arms as a customer and the couple met there before getting married in the local church and raising two daughters, Jayne and Michelle in the village.
Weaver has worked in the industry for almost 50 years and, with Graham, they also previously ran two other nearby pubs, the Meynell Arms and the Loggershead.
Eternally grateful
She said: “I’d like to thank my customers and friends for all their loyalty and support over the years. None of this would have been possible without them, or my amazing team, and I will be eternally grateful.
“It has been such a fantastic journey and while I am, of course, sad to be leaving after all this time, I look forward to seeing what’s to come for the pub. I’m only moving down the road so I will always be on hand to help out if needed.”
Weaver has supported her community through an annual schedule of events, from bingo nights, raffles, garden parties, barbecues and charity fundraising initiatives – specifically in aid of local hospice Douglas Macmillan and cardiac risk charity Cry. She has also worked hard to support other local businesses through hosting markets where she offers local craftspeople a place to come and sell their products.
Special pub
The baton of leadership will be passed on to Victoria Brindley who has worked with Weaver at the Peel Arms for eight years.
Admiral Taverns business development manager Dolores Quigley said: “Firstly, I would like to congratulate Margaret for such an incredible achievement – she really has created such a special pub that I know is widely adored by her community.
“It has been such a privilege working with her, her family and her team and I know she will be greatly missed. On behalf of everyone at Admiral Taverns, I wish her the very best for the future and I look forward to seeing her on the other side of the bar in the years to come.”
