Celebrations as pub reopens

Adam Hewitt • Last updated 17 Apr 2008 09:52 0 Comments

A PUB left derelict for months has finally reopened with a young couple at the helm.

The Maiden Over in Silverdale Road, Earley, had become a magnet for vandals and looked a sorry sight after former landlord Alex Cook retired to Bulgaria earlier this year.

But now Paul and Kate Best have moved from Ealing to refurbish and brighten up the pub. They will be living there with their eight-year-old son Reece, and are already planning quiz nights, pool tournaments and wide-screen televisions for sports.

Paul said: "The locals are over the moon that the place is back open, everyone's really happy. We've worked in pubs our whole life, and we used to own one in Brentford, so we know what we're doing."

Paul grew up in Theale, but later moved to London, while wife Kate, 24, spent years as a barmaid and will now be assistant manager at the pub.

The Maiden Over had a busy re-opening night on Friday, and will be fully refurbished over the coming weeks. It was originally built by Reading's famous Simonds brewery in 1965, and opened by Surrey and England cricketing legend Ken Barrington, also from the town.

Regular John Standen has captained darts teams at the pub in the past, and is looking to organise tournaments again there now it has reopened. His team won a charity Woodley versus Earley match there at the end of last year.

He said: "It was absolutely rammed in there on Friday for the reopening, we had a great night. We're looking to organise another darts tournament with pubs across the area this year, as the new landlord is very keen on darts."

Another regular visitor, David Chopping, said: "It looks like the pub is attracting more young people."

Campaign for Real Ale spokesman Phil Gill recently called Earley a "real ale desert", but Paul and Kate said they are hoping to offer a small selection soon.

The return of the Maiden Over gives Earley residents seven pubs to choose from - still only one for every 4,500 residents.

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This article appeared in Reading Chronicle 17 Apr 08

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