Local landlady Sheila Wyllie is celebrating this month as she marks her 25th year anniversary running The Nags Head pub in Leicester.
After moving to the area from Warwickshire in 1998, Sheila, her late husband, Tom, and first-born daughter, Laura, opened the doors to what would soon become the heart of the community in the thriving village of Enderby.
Host to fun and friendly games nights as well as local sports teams, including pool, darts and poker, the much-loved Nags Head has built a popular reputation across the village.
As a champion for the locals and being an honorary member of the Loughborough based Rainbows Children’s Hospice, Sheila regularly holds fundraising events to raise awareness for others and as a result, she has amassed a huge customer base and continues to run the pub with the same enthusiasm she started with over two decades ago.
Crediting the locals, her loyal staff and family including step-children Trudy and Terry, who have supported her over the years, she said: “For me, it’s all about getting everyone involved. We have a great community and local customer base, and I love to keep everyone happy.
“I’ve seen lots of changes over the years, I thought the smoking ban would be a killer, but here we are, 25 years later, this is a milestone achievement.”
To celebrate this magnificent milestone, Punch Pubs Operations Manager Christian Gregory presented Sheila with an array of gifts, including a floral bouquet, a bottle of champagne and her very own branded pale ale – which can now be found on the bar inside the village hotspot.
Christian said: “Sheila runs a great pub. She is welcoming to everyone and is a pillar of the community. Over the years she has completed lots of charity work, she supports local sports teams and is very well loved. The Nags Head is a fine example of the Great British pub, and we are proud to work with Publicans like Sheila. I’m sure everyone will join me in celebrating this achievement.”
In recognition of Sheila’s incredible and successful service, an event will take place on Saturday 22nd April where her family, the locals and a live band will be joining in the celebrations.
Sheila added: “I like to take each day as it comes, as you never know what will be around the corner. I’m looking forward to celebrating on the 22nd, it will be a big celebration, a bit of a party, and it will be nice to see everyone get involved.”