Phil
I will spend most of my time in the bar, looking after the cellar, managing stock and distributing newspapers.When I am not working you will usually find me running or cycling in the local area, or walking our dog through the village.
Karen
I will spend most of my time managing the refurbishments, running our holiday cottage business and taking care of the paperwork and finances. I will also help out in the bar at weekends and at busy times.When I'm not working you will usually find me walking Fern or catching up with friends and family.
Fern
I will spend most of my time keeping watch to see what's going on. I will also meet and greet some of the visitors to our pub, especially the 4-legged ones.When I'm not working you will usually find me walking through the village and nearby hills, swimming in the river or snoozing in front of the fire.
About us
Phil and Karen Wilkinson are the owners of The Star InnWe took over The Star Inn in August 2019 from Anne Dunn, who together with her late husband Robert, ran the pub for 46 years. We are now settled in Harbottle and wish Anne the very best of wishes in her retirement.
Although we have broad business experience, we are new to running a pub. We were both ready to do something different together, a lifestyle business we could build up. Born and raised in the North East, we left the area to work and live in Peterborough for 15 years, returning to Northumberland in 2015. We are proud to call Northumberland our home and enjoy country living and the great outdoors.
When we heard The Star was up for sale, we were interested. We could see its potential in a lovely area and wanted to do something special with it. As we looked into things in more detail, it was not about us buying any old pub, it was about us buying this pub. It was quite a journey from viewing the pub to moving in, but we made it and are very much enjoying living and working in Harbottle.
Thank you to everyone who has made us feel very welcome.
Phil, Karen and Fern
