Running a pub is no mean feat; it’s a labour of love, determination and passion, where at The Star Inn at Vogue, love shines through every pint poured.
That’s down to Publicans Mark and Rachel Graham, who aren’t just business owners – they’re the heartbeat of this Cornish local. For over 20 years, they’ve poured their passion into The Star Inn, creating a space that’s as welcoming as it is wonderful. Together, they’ve journeyed through the highest highs that being a Publican brings, as well as endured some of the lowest lows.
This year marked an incredible milestone – two decades of memories, hard work and community spirit at their beloved pub. One that is firmly cemented as the heart of the hamlet in the parish of St Day, in Cornwall.
Wanting to make a difference was the foundation on which The Star Inn was built, says Mark: “Rachel and I both had pub backgrounds, so running a pub together was the obvious and only decision for us. We vaguely knew of the Star Inn; both of us are relatively local to the area, so we, alongside our seven children (which soon became nine), took the plunge, and the rest is history.
“We love pubs because we like to make a difference. It’s commonly said that pubs are the upstanding pillars of the community, and it couldn’t be truer. It’s a place where everyone in the community can gather, and can be who they want to be, it’s a safe space to enjoy, reminisce and make memories – and for us, it’s what gets us out of bed in the mornings.”
With a passion for people, pubs and pints too – or cask ales in Mark’s case – The Star Inn, fuelled by Mark and Rachel’s love for their community, has become a stalwart locally. It’s become the go-to place for a multitude of events, celebrations and socials. Over the years, they have developed the pub from a traditional pub and restaurant to an award-winning, multi-faceted and family-run hub that offers not only a vast selection of drinks and home-cooked pub classics, but also boasts a hairdressers, a satellite county library, and a wedding venue too.
No two days are the same at The Star, from weekly quizzes and annual charity balls, to festivals, live music and keep fit classes – Mark and Rachel have vowed to continue adapting, evolving and being innovative, especially in this ever-changing industry.
Mark continued: “For us, it’s about not being afraid to stand out and take risks. You can’t sit on your laurels when running a pub business of your own or any business for that matter. We’ve had to be inventive and diverse, and we try and do that every single day. Too many people become complacent with their offer, and it doesn’t always work; you need to be different, and I don’t think you get more different than us.”
The Star Inn has become a local legend in its own right – a beloved hub that has received national recognition since Mark and Rachel took the helm. While they’ve made the headlines for some unconventional reasons – like the time that fashion powerhouse Vogue requested they change their pub’s name, or when Mark decided to charge diners for leaving excess food on their plates – through every twist and turn, the pub has continued to thrive through the good, bad and challenging times.
Fast-forward to 2025, and The Star at Vogue is busier than ever. Mark, Rachel and the team are gearing up for a season of festivities, once they’ve hosted their annual Halloween party, and are in the midst of planning for their Big Winter Solstice event, and their famous Charity Ale Festival, which takes place next June.
But it’s not just the community that holds a special place in their hearts; Mark and Rachel are equally passionate about charity and raising awareness for important causes. In the last two decades, they’ve raised over £250,000 for local charities, including the Air Ambulance and Search and Rescue teams, local hospices and schools, stating that the money they make through fundraising is always put back into the community.
Mark and Rachel have proven that pubs aren’t just a watering hole; they can also be lifelines, and as they continue on their journey as Publicans, their ambition remains the same – to ensure The Star Inn continues to shine brightly, with the community at the centre of everything they do.