Popular Isle of Wight pub welcomes family as new landlords

Husband and wife Alfie and Abbie Pearce, who live in Bembridge, are the new landlords of The Pilot Boat Inn, on the corner of Station Road and Embankment Road.

Joining them in their new venture is Alfie's mum, Charlotte, from Ryde.

Abbie said Charlotte has always "dreamed" of owning a pub so when the opportunity arose, they "couldn’t resist" getting her out of retirement to lend a helping hand. 

"We also thought, we love Bembridge and saw great potential in bringing the historic pub back to the village", she said.

The Pearce family are taking over from the Bristows, who have run the pub for the past 14 years and Abbie says will be "greatly missed".

From left: Alfie, Abbie and Charlotte (Image: Abbie Pearce) The Pilot Boat Inn (Image: The Pilot Boat Inn)

Having worked for the previous owners for a number of years, ⁠Abbie knows a thing or two about the pub and is promising "high quality food at reasonable prices".

⁠Abbie also used to work for Wight Knuckle Brewery, formerly located at the pub and now based at New Farm, Brading.

Meanwhile, Alfie works as a gas engineer and will continue to do so while spending his evenings at the pub.

If taking over a pub wasn't exciting enough, the couple are also expecting twins!

Abbie said: "⁠Punters can expect the pub to be transformed back to the classic family pub it used to be.

"With a whole new team, you can expect a higher quality food at reasonable prices.

"While the renovations have begun, punters should expect gradual changes to the pub over the next six months."

The family took over the pub on November 1 and it opens under their ownership on Saturday, November 9.

It will be open Tuesday to Saturday, 12pm to 10pm and Sundays,12pm to 6pm.

Abbie said: "We really want the pub to feel like a hub for the local community, so come and meet the new team, give feedback, let us know what you want to see".