Having loved her time working as bar manager at Wigston community pub The Fairfield, Kelly Aldridge jumped at the chance to become business owner of the popular spot in September 2023.

Now, with the help of Everards, she’s transforming The Fairfield into the perfect haven for her much-valued customers. The most recent changes, which were carried out in April this year following an investment of £102,000 from Everards, have included an exterior refurbishment, with new colours and new signage, and a make-over in the main bar area.

Guests are now greeted by a tunnel mural on the wall straight ahead of them as they walk in, before turning to see the freshly painted blue walls, contemporary lighting and decorative touches added by Kelly. Her favourite bit, she says, is the hexagonal shelving units she’s fixed to one of the walls, which display Everards pump clips and the pub’s Cellar Excellence award.

Kelly has also recently re-decorated the snug, with muted green walls and soft furnishings creating a cosy den at the side of the pub. She’s also spent time improving the large rear garden, including adding a new children’s play area.

The previous play area had been taken out a few years ago as it was no longer fit for purpose, but according to Kelly, it is a vital feature. “This is a family pub, it needs a play area. That was the first thing I added when I took over and it’s the best decision I ever made, because now the garden’s full of happy kids and the parents are happy sat outside with a drink in the summer.”

Full of passion for her job, Kelly comes across as the perfect hostess. Yet, she only started working in the pub industry in 2020. She had previously worked in retail and catering, before becoming bar manager at The Fairfield to help out her then sister-in-law, Amanda.

After Amanda left at the end of 2022, Kelly worked as live-in manager for the duo who took over, and when they moved on, Kelly eagerly took the helm of the pub she loved.

Talking about transitioning from bar manager to business owner, she says: “There wasn’t a big change, because I was doing most of the work anyway. The only difference is I’m now responsible for the bills!

“Running a pub is hard work – it’s not just standing behind a bar, pulling pints like people might think. Being such a big pub as well, there’s a lot to do, but I absolutely love it, I really do,” continues Kelly, who has a small team of staff and can also count on her partner ‘Ako’, who is a plumber, to help with maintenance.

On working with Everards, Kelly says she receives great support. “There’s always someone on the end of the phone when I need them.”

The Fairfield offers food from Wednesday to Sunday, with burgers, pizza, fish and chips and loaded nachos among the menu items, along with a traditional roast on a Sunday. The pub’s Sky Sports match screenings are a popular draw, as are its events including quiz nights.

Talking about what she loves about running her own pub, Kelly says: “It doesn’t feel like work. When you’re behind the bar, it feels like you’re out with everyone, having a good time.

“It’s nice seeing new faces coming in as well. Since I’ve had the work done and started doing food, and people know we’ve got a play area, we’re getting more and more families coming in, which is great.”

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