I’m Britain’s youngest pub landlady – I’m barely old enough to drink but I’ve been told I’m a natural
BRITAIN’s youngest pub landlady is barely old enough to drink – but punters say she’s a natural.
Rheanna Geraghty, 18, runs the 17th-century Waggon and Horses pub in the village of Steeple Morden, Cambridgeshire.
The teen, who started working at the pub aged 16, manages it while also studying to be a beauty therapist.
She was shocked she landed the role – because she is only just old enough to legally drink in a pub, after turning 18 eight months ago.
Rheanna said: “My boss always said how natural I am around the pub, and now he’s bought another pub, he’s not around as much.
“So he’s put me in charge, which feels weird considering I’m only just the legal age to drink.
“But now I do, I’d say my favourite drink is prosecco and my favourite shot is a baby Guinness.”
Rheanna got a waitress job at the Waggon and Horses after her GCSEs to earn money throughout the summer.
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Since then, she’s been working there while studying beauty therapy at Cambridge Regional College, but her course is set to finish in June.
The previous landlord, Chris Collier, was struggling to find the right person to take over the pub after taking on a second pub himself in Redhill, Surrey.
But Rheanna turned 18 in September, meaning she was able to start working behind the bar.
And Chris was impressed by how quickly she got the hang of things, so decided she should be his successor in charge in March.
Rheanna now has her personal holders licence – meaning she is legally allowed to supply alcohol.
By appointing her, Chris believes he’s made Rheanna the UK’s youngest landlord.
Rheanna is not only the Waggon’s youngest ever landlady but possibly the youngest landlady in the UK
Chris Collier
Rheanna said: “Chris still owns the pub but I’m just running it.
“I’ve always really enjoyed it here and I know how everything works from being here for two years.
“My favourite part about the job is when the pub is full and everyone is happy. I like being constantly busy.
“The staff and the regulars respect me and are really supportive – they want to see both me and the pub do well.
“My plan is to work as a beauty therapist in the day and work in the pub in the evenings.
“At first I was a bit nervous about taking on the responsibility of it all, but that’s passed now. Everything’s going well.
“Working at the pub has completely changed my life with the people and the relationships I have.
“And my family are my biggest supporters – they couldn’t be prouder of me.”
Outgoing landlord Chris Collier, added: “I’m extremely proud of Rheanna who is a very strong young independent woman.
“She is already pushing forward with her own vision for the Waggon which includes the hiring of a new chef, new menus, and wine lists.
“Rheanna is not only the Waggon’s youngest ever landlady but possibly the youngest landlady in the UK at the age of 18.”