'I couldn't be happier' - New landlord at Eastbourne pub on his first month behind the bar
The new landlord of The Dolphin in Eastbourne is relishing the challenge of running his first pub.
Liam Barham, 56, took over the South Street establishment last month, despite having never pulled a pint before.
Originally from Hastings, he once played football for Eastbourne Borough before embarking on a 25-year career as a plasterer.
But after deciding he wanted a change, the opportunity to run The Dolphin has given Liam a new lease of life.
He said: “The last five or ten years, I've wanted to get out of building because it's just taking a toll on my body and this, that and the other. But nothing was right.
“And then, for some reason, I just went with this thought of running a pub. I never really thought about what it entails, but it just felt right. And here we are today.”
Having moved to Eastbourne in the last few years, The Dolphin was the 56-year-old’s local before he took the reins.
He is looking to kick on from a positive first month by serving ‘consistent food, consistent ales and consistent beers’ as well as by engaging with the pub’s punters more, including through an increased social media presence.
Liam said the response from regulars and new customers has been ‘really good’, even if some of his new responsibilities can leave him a little ‘flustered’.
He said: “When I'm out there serving, that's the best part of it. The most stressful part is the behind the scenes stuff because I'm getting asked questions every day, and I don't have the answers. I find that really stressful.
“I've gone from a business I knew inside out to not knowing a thing about this business. But I do like a challenge. It's a journey.”
Little Chelsea is one of the more buzzy parts of Eastbourne, and Liam has already developed a good relationship with the co-owner of one of the area’s most well-known pubs Bibendum – Drew Smith.
Since taking over The Dolphin, Liam has overseen changes to the snug and middle rooms of the pub, with wallpaper redecorated and furniture swapped.
Next, he plans to ‘lighten up’ the back room to encourage more people to make use of the pub’s generous space and enjoy meals together.