A new landlady intends to build back the reputation of an historic Keswick town centre hotel and hostelry which she says took a dip after Covid and a takeover.
Annette Brown has taken over the running of the 12-bedroomed George Hotel in St John’s Street and has already started to make her mark by introducing a new all fresh and homemade menu.
She has also put her own spin on the celebrated cow pie for which the pub has become known.
“It’s my own cow pie made to my own recipe,” said Annette. “Mine are large individual steak and ale cow pies made to order. The other was more of a slab pie.
“I have already had a fabulous response and word of mouth is spreading round and we are getting busier. Everybody is raving about the pies.”
Annette is excited about the challenge ahead despite experiencing difficulties recruiting more staff for front of house and waiting on. She described the pub as being quirky and said that she was having fun.
“I am hoping to build our reputation back up and give people confidence,” said Annette. “It’s not the pub’s fault that Covid happened and there was a buyout (Jennings selling to Marstons) which is a grey area.”
Annette is not new to the hospitality industry and previously ran the Sun Inn at Pooley Bridge with her late husband Stephen. He died on Good Friday in April 2022 and Annette took a year out to mourn before taking over the reins at the George Hotel. She has also run a number of other pubs including the Waggon and Horses in Congleton, Cheshire, and the Queen’s Arms, Whitehaven.
The George Hotel is one of the oldest inns in the Lake District. It was built in 1655 and is full of period features, such as exposed beams and sash windows.
It is also reputedly haunted, although Annette said she is more afraid of the living than the dead and was not scared by ghosts.
