There are some very familiar faces behind the bar at the New Inn, Eype. Dean and Nikki Exton, who run the award-winning Downhouse Café at Higher Eype, are the new pub landlords.

“We’d been thinking about leasing the pub for a long time – it’s been our local for more than 20 years after all and we love it,” said Nikki. “We’re still running the café and the farm as well – the café is very seasonal and doesn’t do evening food, so the pub is an opportunity to branch out.”

Nikki and her son-in-law, Craig Marshall will run the pub day-to-day. Craig also lives at the pub with his wife Jenna, the Exton’s daughter. Jenna, will be running the farm café.

“We’ve done a bit of a swap,” added Nikki. “I’ll be coming down to the pub from Downhouse every day while Jenna will be going up to the café!”

The Downhouse crew have already given the pub a makeover and opened up a new bar area to make more room for dining. “We’re serving good pub grub using produce from the farm and a range of beer snacks including our homemade pork pies,” said Nikki.

The New Inn is owned by Palmers Brewery and tenanted trade director Jayson Perfect said he is delighted with the pub’s makeover.

“I know that Nikki, Craig and the rest of the team will do a fantastic job at the New Inn. We jumped at the chance to work with such a talented and experienced bunch – their track record at the café speaks for itself,” he said.