A couple are calling time on their life behind the bar after five years running a much-loved village pub.
Lynn and Stuart Briggs, who have managed the Sun Inn, Bassenthwaite, since September 2021, have decided not to renew their tenancy and are stepping down to enjoy a slower pace of life and spend more time with family and friends.
Lynn Briggs said: "We've had an incredible time running the pub, but it's just got to that stage of life where I just want to take things a little bit slower, and catch up with friends and family.
"We've not had a holiday in five years."
The couple plan to remain at the pub until new tenants are found and hope their replacements will be in place before Christmas.
Their connection to the Sun Inn goes back much further than their time as landlords—Lynn met Stuart at the pub in 2008 while on a walking holiday.
She said: "We met, and then next thing you know, we've been together eighteen years."
Before taking on the pub, Lynn worked in government IT security and Stuart was a self-employed builder.
The opportunity to run the Sun Inn came after Lynn took redundancy and the previous landlords decided to leave.
She said: "We've really turned the pub around.
"It's thriving.
"I think because we've turned it into a community pub.
"Having the pub open during the day has really brought a different clientele back in."
One of their biggest changes was reopening the pub during the day, which had reportedly not happened for around a decade.
Their efforts have helped transform the Sun Inn into a lively community hub, attracting both locals and visitors.
A weekly Thursday pensioners' special has become a highlight, drawing customers from across the region.
Lynn said: "It's very, very busy on a Thursday afternoon with the pensioners."
The pub is also known for its acoustic music sessions, held on the first Thursday of every month and featuring local talent.
She said: "Anybody's welcome."
Their community focus has earned the pub recognition from real ale enthusiasts, including a CAMRA Pub of the Season award in 2023, a runner-up finish the following year, and entry into the Good Beer Guide.
Lynn credits much of their success to the people around them.
She said: "I'd like to say thank you to the incredible staff that we've had working with us over the five years and also to the incredible customers that have come in and supported us.
"So many of them have become friends."
The couple plan to remain in the village and hope to spend more time travelling, especially in Scotland.
They will be joined by their West Highland terrier, Finn, who has become a familiar face to pub regulars.
Lynn said: "Everybody knows Finn.
"He's a proper pub dog."
She hopes the next landlords will continue the warm, welcoming atmosphere they have created.
She said: "I really hope that they keep the atmosphere and just the same as what we've built up.
"It's a friendly village and hopefully whoever takes over will become part of the village as well."
Though they are retiring from pub life, the couple have no plans to stop visiting the Sun Inn.
Lynn said: "We'll still be pub patrons at some stage, but just on the social side of the bar rather than behind it."
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