A warm welcome at The Sun Inn

Pick of the pubs. This week our intrepid reporter heads for the combined floral and sporting delights of The Sun Inn, Wharf Street.

Run for the past 15 years by Duncan Gray, the pub has a relaxed, welcoming atmosphere: sport is very much to the fore, with Duncan's collection of sporting memorabilia adorning the walls.

From F1 to football photos and legendary boxing moments caught on camera, the pictures chime well with the pub's aim to cater for the whole community, and particularly those who love sport.

When Nub News visited, footie fans were relaxing with pints and waiting for two big Premiership derbies to kick off on the four television screens in the bar: the pub operate two Sky/BT Sport boxes so are able to show different sports at any one time if required.

"We are a community pub and our regulars play a major part in the atmosphere and ambience we present," Duncan told Nub News.

"We have a lot of trades guys, local residents and many returning visitors who collectively form the core of our customer base."

As a renowned natty dresser, Duncan says the regulars give him a lot of stick for his sharp attire, but they're a great bunch: and, they tell Nub, he treats them well in return.

A traditional English pub

The Sun Inn offers a range of ales: Fursty Ferret, Tanglefoot, Badger Best and a seasonal ale, plus a top range of lagers and ciders available on draught or bottled. "I have worked hard to ensure that the Sun Inn reflects a true, traditional English pub," he says.

Prior to coming to The Sun Inn Duncan spent four and a half years running a sports bar further up the High Street.

"In this trade you can move 200 miles away; I moved 200 yards," he smiles. "A lot of people followed us down the road to continue our trading relationship, hence we have maintained our sport and music identity, adding quality food along the way."

Those three activities have, of course, been hard hit by the Coronavirus pandemic: with all sporting fixtures cancelled, live music events banned and food unavailable throughout the closure, it was all very tough on the business.

But Duncan and his team used the time wisely, having carpets and seating cleaned, fitting new table tops and generally sprucing up the bar: they have repainted it throughout.

Now The Sun is bouncing back: customers are returning, the football is back on the telly and the flowers in the hanging baskets and troughs are blooming gloriously in the summer sun.

The music, of course, is another matter, and the darts team have had their fixtures cancelled - which was frustrating as they were poised to add to their already large haul of trophies - but there is life in pubs yet, and The Sun Inn is glad to be welcoming customers back.

"We are blessed with some really great musicians and have some absolutely superb bands playing here," Duncan says, referring to the regular Friday and Saturday night music the pub held pre-Covid,  and have plans to reintroduce once the go-ahead is given.

Blooms provide a splash of colour.

Speaking of those hanging baskets and troughs, Duncan is very proud of them and the positive impact they have on his corner of Wharf and Bridge streets. He often gets compliments from passers-by, and has won so many prizes in Godalming's annual In Bloom competition that he has now been barred from entering. "I have won Godalming in Bloom about eight times," he says, " I make the effort because the flowers are an invitation into the place, it says something very positive about how we run the pub. "So many people say they come out of their way to walk past and see the flowers.†Others even put notes through the door while the pub was shut, admiring the blooms and thanking Duncan and his team for their efforts. "It's an important part of our image on the street corner. We are at the entrance to Godalming, and the exit, and a lot of people view us on their journey, and that has got to be good for the town," he points out. The blooms make the suntrap patio a colourful, delightful place to stop and while away a couple of hours. Duncan assures Nub the tables have been spaced out to abide by social distancing regulations. Inside the pub they have complied with the strict re-opening guidelines including many hand sanitiser and drink stations, marked out routes to toilets and, of course, social distancing advice. "We have got everything properly laid out and our customers have given us great support, as indeed have our brewery, Hall and Woodhouse, throughout the lockdown," Duncan adds. "They seem to have been one step ahead of everybody else, which was both impressive and supportive. Unlike other breweries and pubcos they cancelled our rent for three months to provide much-needed financial support, which was truly appreciated." And he says business has been good since the doors reopened on Monday, 6th July, following the big national reopening weekend. "We chose the Monday rather than Saturday, 4th July - that seemed a crazy idea after so long closed," he says.

A warm welcome from the team.

It's all about the welcome at The Sun inn: Duncan and partner Tracy Bishop, along with bar staff Kirsty Chapman, Alex Bishop and new team member Jackie Davis, offer a sunny welcome, quality service - and also pour a great pint.

Chef Joe Mennah does the magic in the kitchen, producing mouthwatering dishes such as his signature dish of homemade scampi, gambas, fish and chips, ham egg and chips, plus jacket potatoes, homemade burgers and sandwiches, plus a truly great Sunday lunch.

The menu has had to be reduced for the time being, but is changed regularly, and Joe plans to build it back up as time goes on. Food is served from 12 to 3pm Monday to Thursday, 12 to 5pm Friday and Saturday, and 12 to 4pm on Sunday.

For the last eight years or so The Sun Inn has offered accommodation as well, with three en-suite rooms which are regularly occupied by people in town on business, or visiting friends or family in the area.

Duncan does his bit for the community too: as chairman of Pubwatch for the last 14 years he has worked closely with the other publicans in the town, Surrey Police and Waverley Borough Council's licensing department to identify and deal with any issues that may arise.

There's a great atmosphere in The Sun Inn and a lot of love and passion for the job emanating from across the bar.

"The bottom line is, I always try to give people a reason to come out," Duncan says.

"It's more of a vocation than an occupation. I look forward to getting up in the morning, and certainly to the day ahead. It's just a great place to be."

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