2nd Jul 2026
Community Hero Award: Celebrating Leonie of The Steamboat, Lossiemouth
At the end of March, our marketing team visited several of our North East estate pubs that are making a real difference in their communities.
First, we stopped by The Mauretania, recently awarded Community Hero (see our previous post for more). We then headed to Red House Farm in Whitley Bay and The Royal George in the charming village of Old Shotton, Peterlee, to hear about the fantastic work that has been happening there.
We spoke to Paul and Richard who have been in the site since November 2025. So for in their time at the pub, we wanted to understand what they love about the site. ‘We love that people come from far and wide, not just Whitley bay. It’s sort of grown arms and legs really. A customer said to us the other day ‘its like you are riding this crest of a wave’, if anything it seems to be getting busier and busier for us’. Within this, they commented on the communities response since their management: ‘The support from the local has been phenomenal. We’ve come in and engaged them, told them what we are going to do, and then we’ve done it. That’s what they have appreciated.’
The community is a vital part of a pub’s success. Paul said, “Before we took it on, according to the community it didn’t really have that feel where it was a space for everyone, it was more of a everyday drinker/ old man pub type, we flipped it on its head and now people say how they can’t wait to come back.”
This led naturally to our next question about their vision for Red House Farm when they took it on. Paul explained, “Just good food, good service, and good entertainment and make it a overall destination pub. This is exactly what we have done. We also do a mix of DJs, live singers, buskers to cater to different people and music tastes and people love it.”
They emphasised that while they want it to be a destination pub, they also aim for a city-bar vibe. Paul shared the story of their first event, New Year’s Eve, which was a huge success: “We only had around a month to plan after opening. We put 140 tickets for sale and in 3 days they were gone! We put 2 doormen on the door, for that city bar vibe.”
Paul and Richard shared many stories of making customers feel welcome. From hosting functions to creating a warm, inviting environment, their dedication shines through. Paul gave an example: “We got told by a customer that her son’s left town early and came back to Red House because of the vibe on a weekend and brought their friends. It’s such a good feeling to hear that people love what we do here, it’s lush to see.”
The hard work of Paul and Richard has breathed a new lease of life into the pub, and it’s clear the community loves them for it. Well done!
Our final visit of the trip was to speak to Nicola and Barry at the Royal George. Stepping into the pub trade is no small undertaking—particularly for first-time operators. For Nicola and Barry, taking on the Royal George represented a bold new chapter, shaped by passion, curiosity, and a shared ambition to restore something truly special for the community.
Nicola and Barry already run a seaside travel company with 13 shops, but this was an entirely different challenge. In their description of taking on this new challenge, Nicola stated: ‘This is just a different kettle of fish. Every day is a different day, always learning’
What were some of the first changes or improvements you made?
From the outset, Nicola and Barry focused on modernising the pub and making it more engaging for customers. Nicola is someone who loves organization, ideation and always thinking about what next which evidently has come from their other business and transferred over. Countless night and days she relays ideas, changes, implementing things for the royal George whether that’s food or events – a sign of great business owner and prioritising the needs and wants of customers.
By combining physical improvements with creative events and strong online engagement, they quickly built momentum and interest.
What was the reaction from locals when the pub was under new management?
Barry – ‘People would stop and look in before we even opened to try gage what was going on. The feel around the community and wider area was widespread. People wanted to know when we were opening, what food we were having on. From the first opening, we filled the bar, the lounge, and restaurant area, even when we weren’t serving food yet. It was just filled. People couldn’t believe who much we upgraded the place and what we did to it, and just the general feel. The community felt as if they had their pub back’
The response highlighted just how much the Royal George meant to people—and how ready they were for its revival.
We wanted to gain their insight into how important the Royal George is to the local community. For many, the pub represents more than just a place to eat or drink—it’s a social hub. ‘The community was on a real high’ when Nicola and Barry announced their management. ‘The community felt as if they had their pub back’. This sense of ownership and pride from locals has been central to the pub’s renewed success.
Where would you like to see the pub in the next few years?
Looking ahead, Nicola and Barry have ambitious plans.
‘Our goal is to be somewhere that is fully booked for weeks in advance because the bar and food is that good’.
Steve (North East BDM) was determined he wouldn’t allow this pub to open again until he found the right operator. ‘I had a passionate desire to get it right’ this is when Nicola and Barry came onto the scene and delivered.
With clear vision, relentless drive, and strong community backing, the Royal George is well on its way to becoming a standout destination.