St Mary’s locals are bidding farewell to Bishop and Wolf landlords Nick and Hannah Rogers on Wednesday ? and some are less than happy about it.
‘I?ve counted nine landlords who’ve come and gone in the last ten years,? said one angry pub regular. ‘Nick and Hannah are popular, they get involved, they provide good entertainment. You become friends with people and then they have to go! St Austell brewery are a load of ….?
‘It’s the effort and vitality that’ll be missed,? added an Islander. ‘They’ve put so much into it, giving us live music and trips off-island. They’re very friendly people and will be sadly missed.?
And another said simply: ‘Why? The best landlords since Bobby Hayes.?
A petition of more than 100 signatures was sent to St Austell brewery, owners of the Bishop and Wolf, Atlantic Inn and Atlantic Hotel, but failed to halt the move. The couple will be replaced by former Atlantic Inn landlords Dave and Lindsay Lee.
Nick, 38 and Hannah, 31, will be moving to the White Hart Hotel in St Austell. ‘It’s regarded as a big training house and one of the brewery’s premier hotels,? said Area Manager John McKitterick. ‘We wish them all the best on their new challenge.?
Nick, who played in a band on the mainland, gave a live show on Saturday night, but said his farewell was the Sunday afternoon trip to Bryher with friends and regular evening quiz.
‘We’re very sorry to be going,? Nick, from Newquay, told ScillyNews. ‘The brewery have a good future lined up for us, learning new skills, so we’re looking forward to it. But we were always back for holidays after we were at the Bishop last time (in 2003) and we will be this time.?
But locals are less philosophical. “It won’t do the pub any good at all,” said one regular today.