AFTER 30 years managing Summertown’s last remaining pub, Barry and Lesley Greenhough are calling time on their stewardship.

The couple, who took over the Dew Drop Inn in 1985, are retiring next month to travel around Europe.

Originally from Birmingham, the pair were sent to the Dew Drop, in Banbury Road, as part of their training with Courage Brewery.

But after first taking over a pub in Lower Caversham, they received an unexpected but welcome phone call to return to Summertown.

Mr Greenhough said: “Out of the blue, we had a phone call from an area manager asking us if we wanted to manage the Dew Drop.

“We knew the pub and the area and quite a lot of the people. There was no hesitation and 30 years later we are still here.”

He added: “We have got a lot of memories and photos to take with us.

“There is sadness of course. We’ve lived here for 30 years and raised two children in this place.”

Son Mathew, 27, still lives at the pub with his parents, and daughter Haley, 30, has moved out of the family home.

Since the duo took over in September 1985, fellow pubs the Kings Arms – now Chinese restaurant Dancing Dragon – and the Woodstock Arms in Woodstock Road have both closed down.

Following the smoking ban in 2007, Mr Greenhough said the Summertown pub adapted to survive.

The 61-year-old said: “There was always a big blue haze of smoke in the pub – especially when the sun came through the window in the afternoons – with people puffing away on their pipes.

“It’s definitely a lot nicer these days; a much better environment to work and be in.”

The Greenhoughs have no definitive retirement plans apart from taking a well-earned break.

Mrs Greenhough said: “We are doing what the kids do and having a gap year.”

The couple said a new management team was yet to be confirmed and that June 27 would be their last day behind the bar.