Kayleigh Howitt had no idea she’d end up owning The Commercial Inn on Redgate Street, Bridgwater. Yet since taking the helm in August 2024, this once-quiet corner pub has blossomed into a vibrant community centre, pulling an impressive 17,000 more pints than the previous year.
“I just love making everyone happy,” says Kayleigh, whose journey to ownership is rooted in two decades of pub work, complemented by balancing a career in beauty therapy and raising two children. Growing up locally, she recalls starting in hospitality as a teenager at the Palace Nightclub, a spark that eventually led her to seize the opportunity to run her boyfriend’s local pub—an opportunity she never expected to receive.
The Commercial Inn itself is rich with history, built from three former houses, with a longstanding legacy cherished by locals including Kayleigh, who fondly remembers visits with her grandad. Yet by the time she took over, the pub hung in balance, lacking direction and struggling under previous management.
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Kayleigh’s approach was simple but effective: create a welcoming community space beyond just serving drinks. She introduced a lively calendar packed with karaoke, open mic, weekly live music, and events like “Commercial Fest,” a festival-style anniversary celebration that energized the venue and attracted new crowds.
Recognition soon followed. The Commercial Inn ranked 10th in Somerset Live’s Pub of the Year awards and gained national attention through The Great British Pub Crawl. Yet Kayleigh remains grounded about the challenges ahead. “You have to work hard. It is hard,” she admits, reflecting on the financial pressures modern landlords face.
The heart of her success lies in fostering connection. She emphasizes how the pub brings people together—from strangers finding friendship to locals supporting each other—a vital lifeline in a community where The Commercial Inn is the last remaining pub on this side of town near the train station.
Innovation continues with additions like a dedicated sports bar area, Sky Sports and TNT screens, and partnerships with brands like Red Bull and Hooch that enhance the venue’s appeal. Support from fellow local publicans has also been invaluable as she navigates the steep learning curve of ownership.
One of the crowning achievements is the remarkable jump in pint sales, which helped secure brewery funding for essential upgrades. A complete kitchen refurbishment is underway, replacing the condemned facility and enabling the pub to offer homemade food for the first time, appealing to commuters and locals alike.
Despite resistance to change from some regulars initially, Kayleigh’s vision balances tradition with fresh ideas—keeping that authentic pub atmosphere intact with classic comfort food like soups, baps, and pickled eggs.
Her inclusive, community-first attitude is evident in how The Commercial Inn has become a welcoming space for all ages, where conversations flow as easily as the pints. “You can have an 18-year-old sat over there and an 80-year-old sat over here—and it just works,” she says.
Kayleigh Howitt’s story is a testament to passion, perseverance, and the power of a local pub to bring people together, proving that with the right mindset, even the smallest establishments can stage a remarkable comeback.