New landlady carries on family tradition at historic Wirral pub run by her mum and dad in the ’90s

Landlady Julie Woolley says it felt like coming home when she walked back behind the bar at The Harp Inn in Neston for the first time.

Julie and her partner Franny have just become new licensees at The Harp, 24 years after her mum and dad retired from running the Wirral pub known for its gorgeous sunsets.

June and Ray Oldfield were a much-loved part of the community when they were in charge throughout the ‘90s.

The family lived and worked at the pub, which dates back to the 18^th century, for over a decade and Julie says she always had very fond memories of it.

Now in place of her mum’s name, it’s hers above the door and she rings the same bell rung every night by her parents to let regulars know it’s time to drink up.

“I grew up in another local pub, the Coach and Horses, then my mum and dad took this one over when I was about 18 and they had it for about 12 years so it was a big part of my life,” she explains.

“I’ve got three sisters and a brother and at some point we all lived here so it was very much a home and we just absolutely love it. 

“When mum and dad decided to retire 24 years ago, they wanted one of us to take it over but we all had small children at the time so we didn’t take up the opportunity and I think we regretted it. 

“They’ve both passed now, dad 14 years ago and mum 7 years ago, but when we heard that licensee Sue was retiring everyone was encouraging me to take it on. Now we have, it’s like the whole family has come home.”

Julie, who was previously an SEN manager at Neston High School, says although she’s made a major career change aged 55, it all feels very familiar.

“It’s a different lifestyle but it feels like the norm to me. When we walked back in, I felt like we belonged here.

“I grew up with the pub business and I worked in hospitality until I was about 24, here at the Harp and at the Coach & Horses, and I used to love helping my sister Jeanette out in her café, Net’s Café, just long the road. 

“I’ve always really liked talking to people so it’s nice to be behind the bar again because I find it easier to socialise from this side.”

The Harp Inn, which sits along the picturesque Wirral Coastal Path on the banks of the Dee Marshes, is at the centre of the local community which is one of the things Julie loves most about it.

“We don’t have TVs, we really are a pub where people like to talk to each other. We have lots who come for the views and the incredible sunsets but all the regulars are here to meet each other and chat which is lovely. 

“A lot of the regulars who come now were here when my mum and dad were, they remember us, so we’ve been hearing so many stories. It’s been an amazing trip down memory lane.”

Julie and Franny picked up the keys for The Harp a month ago, but they’re only really just properly settling in and still discovering treasures from the family’s previous time there.

“There are memories of my mum and dad everywhere. We’ve still got the same bell behind the bar and when we were exploring the attic room upstairs we found some of the photos that used to be on the walls so we’re getting them reframed.

“Sue had kept the plaque with mum’s name on too, so we’re going to put that up, and the new sign above the door says ‘Julie Woolley (nee Oldfield)’ so the family name’s still there.”

As for the next generation, Julie says they’ve made it home already.

“My two granddaughters are absolutely loving the place. It’s such a beautiful location, we have a big beer garden and a bank that looks over the marsh which they love running up and down.

“They’ve also realised if they walk behind the bar, they’re head-height for the crisps!”

Find out more about The Harp Inn here.

Find all the latest Wirral news here.