Seven years and a lot of success down the line, it's time for new owners at popular Sawley micropub

HANDING over of the reins has taken place this week at one of Derbyshire's most successful micropubs, the Sawley Junction, opposite Long Eaton Railway Station.

- COLSTON CRAWFORD

I can scarcely believe that it is seven years since I sat talking about the opening of it with founder Marie Redfearn, who has created a brilliant community local.

But this week, Marie handed it over to Nigel Patton and his wife Esther, who live just down the road in Sawley - Nigel is already known to many in the beer community as one half, with Michael Shipman, of the innovative Bang The Elephant brewery at Langley Mill.

Marie had been planning to move on anyway but the recent tragic loss of great friend Andy Taylor, who played an integral role in helping her husband Nick convert the building into a pub at the start and remained a regular customer has been a real jolt.

Andy, a warmhearted, big-bearded fellow who looked as if he had stepped straight out of ZZ Top, was only 57 and his passing hit the pub's community hard.

Life goes on, though. First off, here's Marie, who also has her own small brewery at home, Birch Cottage, telling me about her decision...

"It's been an absolutely wonderful seven years!" she says.

"We created my vision with the help of loyal family and friends.

"I wanted to prove that you can have a good pub with good beer and good people and its success went beyond my wildest dreams.

"I must mention - as he never gets recognition - my husband Nick.

"He built the brewery and with the help of his motorcycling friends he built the Sawley Junction.