Teenager becomes ‘Britain’s youngest landlady’ after taking over the pub aged 18 | British News
A teenage girl may well have become Britain’s youngest landlady after being handed the reins in a village pub.
Rheanna Geraghty is barely able to legally drink a pint in a pub, but now she runs the whole business.
The 18-year-old runs the 17th-century Wagon and Horses in the Cambridgeshire village of Steeple Morden.
She started working there aged 16 and quickly rose through the ranks after former pub owner Chris Collier took over a second pub in Redhill, Surrey and needed someone else to run the business.
He struggled to find the right person to run the pub but was able to turn to the enterprising teenager – and Chris believes he has hired Britain’s youngest landlord.
Rheanna, from Bassingbourn, Cambridgeshire, admitted she was shocked to land the role after turning 18 just eight months ago, but is very proud of her title.
She said: “My boss used to say how natural I was at the pub and now that he’s bought another pub he doesn’t go there as often.”
“So he put me in charge, which feels strange considering I’ve only just reached legal drinking age.
“But now I know that my favorite drink is Prosecco and my favorite drink is baby Guinness.”
Rheanna first became a waitress at Wagon and Horses after her GCSE to earn money throughout the summer.
She has since worked there and is studying beauty therapy at Cambridge Regional College, but is due to finish her course in June.
After Rheanna came of age last September she was able to work behind the bar and Chris was amazed at how quickly she got the hang of it.
As a result, he decided in March that she should be the one to carry the baton, and she can now begin in her new role after receiving her personal owner’s license, which legally allows her to serve alcohol.
Rheanna said: ‘Chris still owns the pub but I just run it.’ I’ve always loved it here and I know how it all works since I’ve been here for two years.
“What I like best about my job is when the bar is full and everyone is happy.” I like being busy all the time.
“The staff and regulars really respect me and support me – they want both me and the pub to be thriving.”
“My plan is to work as a beauty therapist during the day and work in the pub at night.
“At first I was a bit nervous about taking responsibility for everything, but that’s over now.” Everything is going well.
“Working in the pub has completely changed my life with the people and the relationships I have.”
“And my family is my biggest supporter – they couldn’t be prouder of me.”
Outgoing landlord Chris Collier added: “I’m very proud of Rheanna, a very strong young, independent woman.”
“She is already driving her own vision for the wagon, which includes hiring a new chef, new menus and wine lists.
“Rheanna is not only the youngest landlady ever on the wagon, at 18 she may also be the youngest landlady in the UK.”
It’s a pleasure to see the pub thrive with its young landlady at a time when many are suffering from the cost of living crisis.
More than 150 pubs have already had to close for good in England and Wales this year due to skyrocketing energy bills.
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