'UK's youngest landlady' is barely old enough to drink in her own pub

A teenager is thought to be the youngest landlady in the UK, having taken the helm at a pub in Cambridgeshire only a matter of months after she was able to get served for a pint.

Rheanna Geraghty is just 18-years-old, but has taken over as the boss at the Waggon and Horses in Steeple Morden, where she had previously been working as a member of the waiting staff.

Having started working there at 16, she is now in charge of the bar after the owner bought a second pub and decided to dedicate more time to that, leaving Rheanna in charge.

She’s been a hit with the regulars of the 17^th century public house, working there in addition to studying full time to qualify as a beauty therapist.

Rheanna admits that it was a shock when she was given then reins of the pub, despite only being of legal age to drink for eight months.

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"My boss always said how natural I am around the pub, and now he's bought another pub, he's not around as much,” she explained.

"So he's put me in charge, which feels weird considering I'm only just the legal age to drink.

"But now I do, I'd say my favourite drink is prosecco and my favourite shot is a baby Guinness."

Rheanna started waiting at the pub after her GCSE exams, and now studies at Cambridge Regional College, though she’ll be finished with that course in June.

The pub’s owner Chris Collier hadn’t yet found the correct person to take over at the pub after he began spending more time at his new pub in Surrey, until Rheanna turned 18 and was able to pull pints herself.

He was so impressed with her skills and how quickly she took to the work that he left her in charge in March.

Now, she has a personal licence to sell alcohol, and is probably the youngest landlord or landlady in the UK.

She continued: "Chris still owns the pub but I'm just running it. I've always really enjoyed it here and I know how everything works from being here for two years.

"My favourite part about the job is when the pub is full and everyone is happy. I like being constantly busy.

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"The staff and the regulars respect me and are really supportive - they want to see both me and the pub do well.

"My plan is to work as a beauty therapist in the day and work in the pub in the evenings. At first I was a bit nervous about taking on the responsibility of it all, but that's passed now. Everything's going well.

"Working at the pub has completely changed my life with the people and the relationships I have. And my family are my biggest supporters - they couldn't be prouder of me."

Chris added: "I'm extremely proud of Rheanna who is a very strong young independent woman.

"She is already pushing forward with her own vision for the Waggon which includes the hiring of a new chef, new menus, and wine lists.

"Rheanna is not only the Waggon's youngest ever landlady but possibly the youngest landlady in the UK at the age of 18."