A beloved local pub in Norton has opened under the management of dynamic father-daughter duo, Amy and Mick Harding.
The Norton Tavern has a stellar reputation within the community. Since taking to the helm in December, Amy and her father are bringing their wealth of experience, and deep connections to the pub to help reignite it and ensure that it remains at the heart of the village.
Amy, who has worked at the Norton Tavern for nine years and has managed it for four years, officially took to the helm in October and reopened it with a fresh look in December, thanks to an investment from leading pub company Punch Pubs & Co.
Known for her friendly demeanour, the much-loved Publican enjoys chatting with new faces and making everyone feel welcome, and having grown up on the housing estate next door, she is a familiar face to many.
“The Norton Tavern is a fantastic pub and is loved enormously,” she says. “As I’ve worked there for many years, I’ve built a fantastic rapport with our locals and I’m proud of the connections we’ve made. With strong ties to the community, when the opportunity arose to take on the pub, it was a no-brainer for my dad and me, and we’re incredibly passionate about keeping the community spirit alive!”
The father and daughter duo are committed to maintaining the pub’s historically friendly and welcoming atmosphere, so much so that the team at the Norton Tavern remains unchanged, fostering the sense of family and teamwork that the regulars love.
Amy continued: “Our priority when moving into the pub was to keep the spirit of the community alive here at the Norton Tavern. We treat our regulars like our extended family, so much so that we know, to the minute, when one of our guests will be in the pub, and you can guarantee they’ve got their favourite drink sitting waiting for them.”
Amy’s father Mick has also garnered a stellar reputation locally, thanks to being the town’s local greengrocer for over two decades, he brings his expertise and passion for fresh produce and gardening to the pub – and has multiple plans up his sleeve to enhance the Norton Taverns’ beer garden in particular.
Having moved into a freshly renovated pub, Amy and Mick will focus on enhancing the beer garden and function room, which they plan to transform to accommodate celebrations and occasions. Mick’s grand plans include making the generous garden more child-friendly with chalkboards and play equipment.
Amy has also brought in new chefs who source high-quality ingredients from well-known local suppliers, utilising Mick’s contacts from his greengrocer days to ensure their new menu is curated from only the best, seasonal and local supplies.
The pub is set to open seven days a week soon and has already seen a surge in popularity with its weekly quiz night every Thursday. Plans include hosting more entertainment in the function room and offering fully licensed weddings. While no bookings have been confirmed yet, Amy and the team are excited about the possibilities.
“We would like to do family events, family fun days, and concentrate on summer fairs and stalls this year,” Amy says. “We’re excited to continue our journey at the Norton Tavern and grateful to our guests for continuing to support us.”
