A Darlington pub fosters community, welcoming veterans and offering warmth amidst rising costs.
Kelly Whelan runs the pub, having started nearly five years ago, during Covid. She says she knows all her customers and believes people will return if they visit once. Kelly worked as an engineer for 25 years; she has also worked in hospitality since she was 16.
Kelly is from Ferryhill and said she “fell in love” when she saw the pub. It had its ups and downs, she said, and she thought of it as somewhere she’d drink. The name “gentleman” is fitting, she believes, and customers, along with her staff, make the pub special.
The pub was once called the Freemasons Arms in the early 1800s. The pub had a rocky time in the 70s and 80s, even hosting male strippers once. Later, as a punk venue, it closed after a violent concert.
In 1984, someone turned it into three places: a wine bar, a beer bar, and a restaurant. This didn’t work out, and it became The Tap and Spile, a name that lasted until 2010. Then, it went back to The Old English Gentleman.
Kelly had managed The Greyhound pub and also worked at the Ferryhill Club. She took over on October 26, 2020, and said loving your job is key. It’s been hard work, but she enjoys it.
John Smiths is the most popular drink, followed by Fosters. It costs £1.95 midweek and £2.15 weekends, and people love the cheap prices. Darts, bands, and music draw people in too, as they play music from Earth, Wind & Fire, and others.
The music is mostly from the 70s and 80s, and younger people don’t come as much during the day. Everyone is welcome, though, as the place suits its era, and they don’t serve cocktails. It’s very traditional, according to Kelly.
Glen Storey, 73, thinks it’s the best pub because he says there are no “idiots” there. He likes the landlady and has been going for 40 years. It used to be for soccer fans, but now it’s for older people and everyone; young people are respectful there.
Kelly admits the pub faces challenges, as the cost of living is impacting pubs. It’s becoming a difficult business, she says, and people’s drinking habits changed after Covid. The Old E launched a warm space where people could come in and get warm for free.
People could bring their own food and drinks, and Kelly said they always keep the heat on. She knows some people are lonely, and the warm space helps people who can’t heat homes. One person even came with a flask and sandwiches.
The pub also welcomes veterans, and there’s a large poppy painted on the building. It’s home to several veteran associations, and they often praise their events. Kelly’s husband and son served in the military, which makes it personal for her.
Richard Heppenstall is a veteran who said the pub is great for a drink. He’s been going for about ten years and likes the landlady, staff, and community. They always make him feel welcome, so he goes six times a week.
Another regular said it’s the best place to be and thinks it’s the best Remembrance Sunday pub. The landlady treats veterans well there and even took him to the hospital once. He’s been going six days a week for years.
The pub doesn’t need door staff because they don’t allow bad behavior. The community helps look after it, Kelly said. Mouse from Darlington goes every day and enjoys the beer, the landlady, and the staff. He also thinks it’s clean.