Luke Honeychurch is preparing to call last orders as landlord of The Hog in Horsley after six-and-a-half years at the helm of the popular pub.
Luke has announced that he will hand over the keys at the end of November. His final day of trading will be Sunday, November 29, giving customers, friends and members of the local community an opportunity to visit before the changeover.
In an emotional announcement, Luke said leaving had been a difficult decision. He explained that his health and family now needed to come first, bringing his time as landlord to an end.
A pub shaped by six-and-a-half years of work
Luke’s tenure has involved a substantial transformation of The Hog. He personally renovated the pub’s interior and developed outdoor bars, stages and additional spaces designed to accommodate festivals, weddings and community events.
The work helped the venue host numerous events during his time as landlord. The Hog also raised money for charities and became a gathering place for people in the local community, extending its role beyond that of a pub.
For Luke, the building has also been closely connected to his family life. He said he raised two of his children there and met his now-wife, Kelly, at The Hog.
This pub has been my absolute heart and soul.
That personal connection formed part of Luke’s reflection on the years he has spent behind the bar and on the relationships created through the pub.
Carl and Cath to take over
Regulars will see familiar faces remain at the business after Luke’s departure. Carl and Cath, who already work at The Hog, will become its new landlords from Tuesday, December 1.
Luke said he was pleased with the arrangement and believed the pair would maintain the character and community spirit built up during his time in charge while taking the pub into its next chapter.
Running a pub is never a one-person job, and having staff who share the same love for this place step up into the driving seat is the best outcome I could have ever wished for.
He has invited customers and friends to call in during the weeks before the handover, share memories and say their goodbyes. Luke hopes to see as many familiar faces as possible on his final day behind the bar on Sunday, November 29.
Luke described the change as the close of one chapter rather than the end of the friendships formed at The Hog.
This isn’t goodbye to the friendships we’ve made, just the end of one chapter and the start of a new one.
He added that he was looking forward to seeing The Hog flourish under its new landlords, with Carl and Cath taking responsibility for the pub from the start of December.
