THE Kings Arms, owned by The Unique Pub Company is the first pub you see when driving off the Torpoint Ferry and has been managed by Sharon Woodman and Mike Anastasiou for two years.

The pub has been dramatically changed, inside and out, during the years, and is now painted a vibrant blue outside and with all modern fixtures and fittings inside, including bright walls and upholstery. But things are not yet finished - the bar is being re-vamped during the next couple of weeks and leather sofas are being added to the seating arrangements.

Sharon is from Torpoint and has done bar work since she left school and managed a wine bar before moving on to The Kings Arms. Sharon and Mike have been together for four years this week and he owns and runs The Waterlodge restaurant in the town with his brother, Foddy.

The pub attracts most of the town's younger generation, and is in the ideal situation for reaching Plymouth after closing time. Sharon said: 'We wanted something different here, an alternative for the younger people in the town to go to. Because we are off the main stretch of pubs we had to do something fairly amazing to get people to walk down here. The pub is now very popular and weekends are very busy and good fun.'

The Kings Arms has a full entertainment licence and has singers booked to play about twice a month. DJs, Kev T and Andy 'Chops' Young, play pure dance music there every Wednesday night. The pub also hosts themed nights, the winter theme being PVC and leather and in the summer bikinis and flower garlands are put on instead!

Sponsorship

The Kings Arms has two mixed pool teams currently in the Torpoint league and also sponsor the Millbrook football second team as well as a netball team, of which Sharon's sister, Julie, who also works at the pub, is a member. The big screen is regularly used for all the major sports and matches that are on.

Rowlend Hill came across to The Kings Arms for a drink during his break from plastering the walls at the Rowing Club. Rowlend has been known to help out behind the bar at the pub as has Steve, or Hercules, as he is known, who is a pool team member.

Rowlend explained that the pub is reputed to be haunted by a highwayman who walks in the door and stands by the Guinness pump. Rowlend claims to have experienced a few strange happenings and others have heard footsteps.

The pub has a full selection of cocktails and shooters and part of the bar is being donated solely to the making of these.

On New Year's Eve the pub gets packed out as it is one of the only pubs close enough to the ferry lines, where the party takes place, to cater for so many people. This year the staff at The Kings Arms dressed up as characters from behind the Queen Vic bar in Eastenders.

The pub also hosts many private parties especially during the festive period.

Bernice Andrews, past landlady of The Kings Arms from 1988 until 1993 and now stewardess at the Rowing Club comes to the pub quite regularly. She said: 'The pub has changed quite dramatically but the town has also changed as well. The town has attracted the younger generations and this pub is ideal for them.'

Linda Sidall from Torpoint was also at the pub. She said: 'I normally come in here weekends and evenings. There is a nice friendly atmosphere and the staff are always cheerful and having a laugh.'

Happy Hour

Sharon explained: 'Evenings and weekends are when we are busiest. We have a Happy Hour from 4pm until 7pm each day. The Navy boys come in quite a lot during the week and the locals take over at weekends, they never really mix like that. The Kings Arms is very popular and well known by the Navy lads!'

The STC Club is run from The Kings Arms and is organised by Frank Holden. Members pay £1 per year and are given a membership card. If asked to show the card, and are without it, they have to pay a fine. The Club also organises collections and the pub is a base for all kinds of charity events including head shaves. All money from collections or sponsorships held at the pub are given to local charities and organ-isations.