A woman and her YouTuber partner have taken over a popular pub and they're making it the home of all kinds of entertainment. Julie Bailey and Simon Hudson, of Haunting Hunters Paranormal, are the new landlady and landlord of The Birches Head.
Prior to moving into the 'haunted' pub, the pair had hosted ghost hunting events in the pub when it was owned by Mat Allen and Celia Pemberton-Allen, who have since taken over The Crewe Arms Hotel. Last year, the couple hosted an event where subscribers could meet YouTubers, which they say 'was a really good day'.
Since taking over in August, Julie and Simon have already hosted last-minute weddings and birthday parties, which Julie brilliantly decorates using her decorative arches and flower arrangements. The function room is located upstairs, and is complete with tables, chairs, DJ decks and speakers.
Julie said: "We're just getting on our feet but everything is running smoothly now. It's Simon's first time behind a bar so it's all new for him, he's had to learn how to change kegs and gas. I've done it since I was 18, but it's always been a dream to have my own, so when we were asked we thought about it overnight, and we were like 'Yeah go on then' - there were six other couples who wanted it too, so I was so excited when I broke the news to my mum and dad.
"We're having loads of parties at the moment because lots of people have been in touch - we've had an emergency wedding the day after we took over, and we've had a 50th and a 21st which were both on the same weekend.
"We're going to focus on entertainment here rather than food as it's not selling. We're putting on a kids Halloween party and an adults Halloween party, we've got one Christmas Do booked and are taking more bookings - for little groups we'll do three-course meals.
"For £5 a ticket we're doing pumpkin carving because one of our customers has an allotment and says kids can go and choose their own pumpkin, then they can bring them back to the pub and carve them. The money raised from the Halloween events is going to Dementia UK, and we're doing a New Year's Eve party, and the money for those ticket sales will go to Dougie Mac.
"Fridays and Saturdays are busy and we're trying to build up music on the weekend and we're pushing for that by having different bands. We're also pushing karaoke on Sunday afternoons, we've done it the last couple of weeks with our regulars and it's such a laugh.
"We're dead chuffed with how well we're doing. Our customers - both old and new - and all the locals have made us so welcome."
The Birches Head has a crib team and a darts team, but is also scouting a pool team. It is open Mondays to Fridays from 3pm until midnight, on Saturdays from midday until midnight, and on Sundays from midday until 9pm.