At 18, I’m only just old enough to drink – yet I’m Britain’s youngest landlady
- Rheanna Geraghty is running the Waggon and Horses in Steeple Morden, Cambs
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A teenager is believed to have become Britain’s youngest landlady at the age of just 18 – while only just old enough to legally drink in a pub.
Rheanna Geraghty is now running the 17th century Waggon and Horses in the village of Steeple Morden, Cambs, where she started working at 16.
The teenager said she is excited to take on the challenge of her new role, in-between studying to be a fully qualified beauty therapist.
But she admitted she was still shocked she landed the role as a pub landlady having only turned 18 eight months ago.
Rheanna, from Bassingbourn, Cambridgeshire, said: ‘My boss always said how natural I am around the pub.
Landlady Rheanna Geraghty at the Waggon and Horses pub in Steeple Morden. She is thought to be one of Britain’s youngest land ladies
‘So he’s put me in charge, which feels weird considering I’m only just the legal age to drink.
‘My favourite part about the job is when the pub is full and everyone is happy. I like being constantly busy.
‘The staff and the regulars respect me and are really supportive – they want to see both me and the pub do well.
‘At first I was a bit nervous about taking on the responsibility of it all, but that’s passed now. Everything’s going well.’
Rheanna got a waitress job at the Waggon and Horses after her GCSEs to earn money throughout the summer.
Since then, she’s been working there while studying beauty therapy at Cambridge Regional College.
The previous landlord, Chris Collier, was struggling to find the right person to take over the pub after taking on a second pub himself in Redhill, Surrey.
But Rheanna turned 18 in September, meaning she was able to start working behind the bar.
Rheanna has said she was shocked that she had landed the role as a pub landlady because she is only just old enough to legally drink in one
Landlady Rheanna Geraghty is now running the 17th century Waggon and Horses after starting work there two years ago
Landlady Rheanna Geraghty at the Waggon and Horses pub in Steeple Morden is beleived to be one of the youngest landladies
Landlady Rheanna Geraghty has said she is excited to take on the challenge of her new role, in-between studying to be a fully qualified beauty therapist
And Chris was impressed by how quickly she got the hang of things, so decided she should be the one in charge in March.
Rheanna now has her personal holder’s licence meaning she is legally allowed to supply alcohol.
By appointing her, Chris believes he’s made Rheanna the UK’s youngest landlord, a title she feels proud to hold.
Rheanna, who says her favourite drink is Prosecco, said the job has changed her life.
She said: ‘Working at the pub has completely changed my life with the people and the relationships I have.
‘And my family are my biggest supporters – they couldn’t be prouder of me.’
She says she wants to combine her pub work with her other passion – beauty.
She added: ‘My plan is to work as a beauty therapist in the day and work in the pub in the evenings.
Outgoing landlord Chris Collier, added: ‘I’m extremely proud of Rheanna who is a very strong young independent woman.
‘She is already pushing forward with her own vision for the Waggon which includes the hiring of a new chef, new menus, and wine lists.
‘Rheanna is not only the Waggon’s youngest ever landlady but possibly the youngest landlady in the UK at the age of 18.’
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