Run a pub

“If you went back to the beginning and told me that one day you’ll be running your own pub, I’d have said ‘don’t be silly!’"

At The Barley Mow in Cosgrove near Milton Keynes, Margo and Paul Adams will pull their final pint on September 23, after 13 and a half years at the charming canal side pub.

  • Started with Everards: 2013
  • Best memory: It’s been a brilliant experience!

Having met around 40 years ago, when Margo was a barmaid and Paul was a roofer by day and a pub DJ by night, the couple soon married and embarked on a career running pubs together.

They took on their first pub on the Isle of Wight 37 years ago, and went on to run a number of watering holes around England – managing pubs in Shrewsbury and the New Forest, before taking on tenancies in Wiltshire.

Having been with the same pub company for 27 years, the couple felt they were ready for a change, so they contacted us.

“We heard about Everards because of their Project William scheme, and it seemed like a good company,” says Paul.

They originally enquired about another pub, but we suggested that they may like to take a look at The Barley Mow, which had not yet been advertised.

“We came here and thought it was a lovely pub. Yes, it needed some redecoration, but it had a nice feel to it, and it has a great location, next to the canal.”

Paul and Margo soon took on the village inn, and over the years have carried out refurbishment works to make the pub as welcoming as possible to its many customers.

This includes locals popping in for a drink, as well as visitors from further afield who come to enjoy the food and the vast beer garden which overlooks the Grand Union Canal.

  • “Everards have been brilliant, very supportive. We couldn’t fault them at all.”

“It’s the right time for us”

Talking about their decision to leave, Paul says: “There’s various reasons. People we know have passed away, and we’ve had health problems. It’s made us think ‘Let’s get out and spend more time with the dogs and the horses.’”

Margo says: “It’s the right time for us, and it’s probably the right time for the pub as well. I think it could do with some fresh energy.”

Paul and Margo’s next chapter will see them relocate to their house in the New Forest.

“It’s on the edge of the Forest which is great for Margo, as she’s got two horses,” says Paul.

On their experience running the pub, Margo says: “Everards have been brilliant, very supportive. We couldn’t fault them at all.

“The family are really good. Richard comes down a lot, and is always really chatty. The area managers have been great as well.”

Paul adds: “If you went back to the beginning and told me that one day you’ll be running your own pub, I’d have said ‘don’t be silly!’ but we’ve done it, and it’s been a brilliant experience.”