Interview
The Wight Mouse staff with Andy ’ s recently purchased 3hp Tuk-Tuk there was the added experience they gained – but they wanted to be off , and at that point headed back to Andy ’ s native Yorkshire where they were in the process of buying a house – until an out-of-theblue call from the Laurel Pub Company changed their plans . In short , they were asked if there was any chance they ’ d consider returning to The Folly – and it didn ’ t take them long to decide . “ The Island is such a great place to bring up your children ” explains Andy . “ I guess having had that year away made us appreciate the place even more for how special it is ”. Hence , they moved back to the helm of The Folly – though living off-site – almost exactly a year after having left . Over the next few years , they built on the pub ’ s reputation for a lively atmosphere , high jinks and great food . To facilitate customers ’ fondness for dancing on the tables , Andy had all the table legs reinforced – and got fun tee-shirts printed to advertise the table dancing antics . The pub became the most successful in its division , with the largest turnover by a long chalk , a fact which Andy attributes largely to the great team of staff they had there . Meanwhile he and the family relished the social and leisure side of life on the Island . He ’ d always had a boat , but his boat – which he describes unflatteringly as “ a fishing boat with a shed on top ” - became known for its quirky Curry Cruiser nickname and could be regularly seen ploughing up the Medina en route to one of Cowes ’ curry houses . “ By that time , I could also afford a better sailing coat ” he quips .
Anchors aweigh
Like most licensees , Andy and Cheryl had always dreamed of having their own pub , and it was in 2014 that opportunity finally knocked , with The Wight Mouse in Chale , which they agreed to rent on an individual lease from Hall & Woodhouse , and operate as a freehouse . While it was a wrench to leave The Folly ( Andy reveals that youngest daughter Anna , then 14 , locked herself in the bedroom when told they were moving ), the whole family quickly fell in love with Chale , and have since put their distinctive stamp on the venue .
“ We feel really lucky to be here . There ’ s lots of open space , the views to The Needles are amazing , and it ’ s great for dog walks .”
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