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End of an era for ‘old school’ locals’ pub The Crown, Southwell




A pub landlord is to hand over the keys today (Friday, January 31), marking the end of an era for an ‘old school’ town centre pub.

The Crown Hotel, Southwell, has been under the care of landlord James Kemp and manager Hayley Rice for the past three and a half years, who have worked hard to put the venue back on the map as a ‘pub with rooms’ rather than a ‘hotel which serves beer’.

When James took over the pub, on the corner of Westgate and Church Street, in October 2021, he aimed to bring it back to life as the popular drinking and music destination he’d enjoyed when he was 18.

Landlord James Kemp and manager Hayley Rice are leaving The Crown, Southwell, after three and a half years.
Landlord James Kemp and manager Hayley Rice are leaving The Crown, Southwell, after three and a half years.

Southwell born and bred, he was keen to ensure it was a proper locals’ pup, with bar staff who could talk about the old times in the town.

James said: “The first year was tough because the Crown didn’t have many customers, to say the least. The previous landlord focused more on the hotel.

“Being Southwell raised, it was important for me to put it back on the map.”

Over the three years, James has reintroduced traditional pub games — pool, darts, and long alley skittles — to attract a weeknight crowd, transformed the rear carpark into an outdoor seating area, and introduced a ‘Loyal to Locals’ rewards scheme.

The Crown Hotel, Southwell. Credit: Google Maps
The Crown Hotel, Southwell. Credit: Google Maps
The Crown led a fundraiser to buy a mobility scooter for 'local legend' Ray Smith.
The Crown led a fundraiser to buy a mobility scooter for 'local legend' Ray Smith.

The venue has also had live music from many acts including popular SKA and Reggae band The Skarantinos, and it also led fundraisers for Dementia UK, the air ambulance, and to get a mobility scooter for ‘local legend’ Ray Smith.

“The Ray Smith fundraiser was brilliant,” he added.

“It brought the whole town together. Over the years we’ve become a better place for people to drink.

“Everyone has a different idea of a local pub, there’s the pubs like The Final Whistle and The Coach House for those who like to drink craft ales, and we catered to those who prefer a lager, shots, a bit of karaoke.

“The best nights are when you have a band you’ve found and booked, and you see your pub full of people enjoying themselves — it just makes you so proud.”

He added that he’d seen many friendships formed at the bar, as customers of all different walks of life found common interests while sat with a beer in their hand.

Among James' changes and investments at the pub was the transformation of the rear carpark into a beer garden.
Among James' changes and investments at the pub was the transformation of the rear carpark into a beer garden.

Now, James has decided to leave his time at the pub behind “on a high”, after his day job changed to require him to take on extra travel across the country.

A new landlady is to take the reins from today — and is said to be planning to bring a new style to the pub and hotel, based on her previous experience as a hotelier.

While James said it was a sad to see the locals’ pub go, he wished her the best of luck with her venture.



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