Popular Isle of Wight pub has mother and daughter landladies

Nicola Price has taken over the Sportsman's Rest, Porchfield, alongside her daughter, Tania Price.

After spending months getting it ready, including a battle to have electricity restored to the building, the pair have now officially opened the doors.

Read more: Popular Isle of Wight pub not reopening this month

Nikki, the former manager at Newclose Cricket Ground's Pavilion Bar and Restaurant, told the County Press: "We want it to be a community pub really.

"The locals have been very supportive already helping us to cut grass and things like that.

"We want to thank the local community for the support we've had so far."

Although it is her first time as a landlady, Nikki said pubs are 'in her blood'. 

She was brought up at the former Malt and Hops, South Street, Newport, and spent 15 years there with her mum and dad.

For the past seven years, the Sportman's Rest has been her local.

From left: Nikki and Tania. (Image: The Sportsman's Rest)

Inside the Sportsman's Rest. (Image: The Sportsman's Rest.)

She said it was a 'shame' to see it close earlier this year, and so she contacted the owner with a view to leasing it.

Tania, who has worked with her mum before, joined the project and the pair got the keys in June.

The new regime brings an end to the uncertainty surrounding the pub.

Read more: 

• Porchfield pub The Sportsman's Rest has re-opened
• "Take care and farewell": Porchfield's Sportsman's Rest closes

In April this year, the then landlords said it would not be reopening.

It also shut in October 2020, due to the Covid pandemic, before reopening in August 2021.

The Sportman's Rest, on Main Road, Porchfield, is currently only serving drinks due to the kitchen being refurbished.

Nikki and Tania have said they plan to offer food going forward.