PUB'S NEW LOOK AS TRIBUTE TO MUM WHO RAN IT

A MUCH-LOVED Coventry mum and grandmother will be honoured as the pub she once ran undergoes a major refurbishment.

- By DANNY THOMPSON, News Reporter

Michelle Burton spent years as a popular landlady at The New Spires pub in Allesley Park, becoming the ‘the heart of the community’ along the way. But Shell, as she was known to friends, was taken from her loved ones when she died suddenly aged just 62 last June.

After years spent fostering kids and helping less fortunate people - as well as running events at the pub for local children - Shell's death was felt keenly by the community.

Her daughter Pip Sullivan, 34, took over the pub with the help of family friend Lucy Murphy as assistant manager and the support of Shell's other daughter Fi.

“Our mum was one of a kind, our best friend and the glue that held everything together,” Pip said. “No words will ever describe the pain we are feeling.”