Britain’s longest serving twin landladies reckon they have served half a million pints in 20 years.
Twin sisters Susan Stoten and Hazel Sturmer are celebrating two decades running The Hastings Arms.
The pair took on the historic Hastings Arms in Hastings Old Town, which dates back to the 18th century, on September 29, 2004.
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And in that time they think they must have served around 500,000 pints and sold at least the same number of bags of crisps.
Hazel was working at another pub in Hastings, The Anchor, and heard that The Hastings Arms was up for grabs in the early noughties.
(Image: Shepherd Neame/TriangleNews)
Meanwhile Susan was living and working in London as head of security at Hatton Garden.
She had no previous pub experience but liked the idea of a new start at the seaside – as well as working with her sister.
“As soon as I walked into the pub with Hazel it felt right,” Susan said.
“Our parents lived in Hastings, so I liked the idea of being near them, and the change of lifestyle, living by the sea and being my own boss, really appealed.”
The sisters grew up in the town, with their parents, sister Heather and brother Gareth, and Susan attended Hastings College, so they were familiar with the area.
They also had experience of working together, as they were both employed in the offices of manufacturing company Rigby’s in Wadhurst for nine years, before it closed in 1995.
(Image: Shepherd Neame/TriangleNews)
Hazel said: “As twin sisters, we have always been incredibly close and worked well as a team, so being able to spend more time together by taking on the pub just made sense.”
During the past two decades, the sisters have put their own unique stamp on the Shepherd Neame pub, running a Tuesday Curry Night and Tapas Thursdays.
The sisters are also incredibly community-focused, welcoming local groups and holding numerous fundraising events, including entering the Hastings Pram Race in aid of local charities every year – an event they have won for the past three years.
It has also become even more of a family affair, as shortly after Susan met her now-husband Steven in 2010, he moved in and took on the role of Head Chef.
The couple have two rescue Terriers, Bob and Buster, who live with them above the pub.
Hazel added: “We love meeting new people and want every customer to enjoy their experience with us and leave the pub happy.”
Susan said: “Hastings is such a special place with a tight, loving community, and we are incredibly proud that The Hastings Arms really is at the heart of the town.”
Shepherd Neame’s Chief Executive Jonathan Neame visited the pub to celebrate their 20th anniversary and present them with a commemorative plaque and magnum of Champagne.
He said: “I was delighted to join Susan and Hazel to mark this special occasion, and thank them for their dedication and hard work during the past two decades.”