Isle of Wight pub goes the extra mile for customers

Kate and her sister, Sandra, took over the Calbourne pub in 2006, but Sandra had to retire due to ill health in 2012.

One of The Sun Inn’s customers, Sue McSwiggan, believes Kate is an unsung community hero.

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Sue said: “The Sun Inn is my favourite pub for so many reasons, but here are the most important ones.

“Kate has always run a pub with the local community at the heart and centre of all she provides. At the very beginning of the pandemic, Kate kept links to the local community at the forefront of her plans to cope with the hardships to come.

“As the pandemic hit, Kate had the foresight to open a shop to provide basic essentials for the local community. She ensured she stocked things which locals really needed.

“She also started a home delivery meals service.This has proved to be a lifeline for many people, not just because of the excellent food she provides, but because Kate also really cares about her customers’ wellbeing and will go the extra mile if she thinks they need more than just a meal.

“A personal example was Kate’s kindness to me and my husband following his recent knee replacement surgery.

“Along with a lovely fish supper I ordered on hubby’s return from hospital, Kate’s partner David Whittaker delivered a Zimmer frame for hubby when she found out he needed one.

“This is just one example of many of Kate’s kindnesses to her customers and her contribution to the local community.

“Despite all that the pandemic has thrown at Kate, she has worked tirelessly for her customers.

“We may not be able to visit our local as we used to but Kate has done everything possible to keep us all going through these truly difficult times.

“When Kate could re-open she made absolutely sure The Sun was Covid-safe and maintained its cosy atmosphere — not an easy task.”

Sue said she has always felt safe visiting The Sun during the past year. “I love the fact that Kate and David work so hard in such trying times to continue to provide a nice, cosy, relaxing local pub which serves tasty, reasonably priced food, while doing everything possible to make the pub Covid-safe."

The Sun Inn, Calbourne, with David, Kate and Waggles the dog.

Sue continued: “An added bonus is that The Sun is truly dog-friendly. My little dog really appreciates the toy box, water bowl and blankets on offer but most of all she loves the treat she gets.”

The Sun Inn has previously been placed or highly commended in several dog-friendly pub awards.

The pub has served the village for many years and was originally situated in Winkle Street, before it moved to a thatched building at the crossroads.

It was previously located on the other side of Middle Road, but it burned down in 1893 and was re-opened where it stands now in 1903.

In recent years, it has gained an excellent reputation for providing gluten-free meals, as well as being popular with walkers.

Following the latest Covid announcements, The Sun will continue to operate as The Sun Out and provide the shop, which has become invaluable to locals, plus the takeaway service and home delivery meals service.

Kate said the shop started during the first lockdown in March as a way of providing basics such as bread and milk, as there isn’t another shop for a few miles — but the range of things it provided swiftly grew. She is keen to keep the shop as a permanent feature at The Sun.

Has your local pub been going above and beyond during the past year? If so, why not give them a pat on the back and nominate them for Pub of the Week? Simply click below to submit your details and photos.