19/10/2026
❤️ A Heartfelt Thank You from The Ship Inn, Trefin ❤️
Well, after four and a half years, the doors of The Ship Inn have finally closed, and I wanted to take a moment to say a few words from the heart.
First and foremost, I want to thank my wonderful staff.
I really couldn't have asked for a better group of people to work alongside. There have been some fantastic times, some difficult times, and some days when I honestly wondered how we were going to get through. But through everything, you have been absolutely wonderful.
A very special thank you to Cari, Haley and Sarah, who have done such a brilliant job managing the pub. Your hard work, dedication, patience and loyalty have meant more to me than you'll ever know. You've taken so much of the pressure off my shoulders, and I will always be grateful.
And a particularly special thank you to Abby, who has been with me almost from the very beginning, four and a half years ago. You've been part of the journey through thick and thin, and I hope you know how much I've appreciated everything you've done. ❤️
To all the other staff, past and present, thank you. Every single one of you has played a part in making The Ship what it was. I'm incredibly proud of you all.
I also want to say a huge thank you to the wonderful people of Trefin and the surrounding villages.
Your support has meant so much, particularly through those long, quiet winter months when running a pub in a small coastal village is anything but easy. You kept coming through the doors, supporting us, sharing a laugh, and helping us keep going.
You weren't simply customers. So many of you became friends, and that's something I will always treasure.
There are also a few people I want to thank personally.
❤️ Abe and Richard, for all the wonderful quiz nights and the fun and laughter you've brought to the pub.
❤️ Neil and Alex, for the open mic nights, giving people the opportunity to share their music and bringing everyone together.
❤️ Sarah, for organising the bingo nights and making them such an enjoyable part of our evenings.
And to every musician, quiz team, bingo player, visitor and local who has supported us over the years, thank you from the bottom of my heart.
I also want to explain a little about why I've decided to close.
This hasn't been an easy decision. The pub has faced some very difficult financial challenges, particularly during the quieter months, and I've also had some health concerns of my own.
Running a pub is demanding, both physically and emotionally, and I have to accept that the pressures of keeping The Ship going certainly haven't been helping my health.
There have also been other difficulties and concerns behind the scenes which have contributed to my decision. I don't feel this is the time or place to go into those, but I hope people will understand that walking away from something I've put so much of my heart into was never a decision I made lightly.
There comes a point when you have to recognise that you simply can't carry on as you have been, however much you wish things were different.
I'm terribly sad to see this chapter come to an end. I put an enormous amount of time, money, energy and love into The Ship, and naturally I wish things could have turned out differently.
But I sincerely hope this isn't the end of The Ship Inn.
My greatest wish is that, in the not too distant future, the doors will open again, the lights will be on, and the pub will once more be filled with laughter, conversation and music.
The Ship is an important part of Trefin, and I would dearly love to see it thriving again.
If and when someone else takes it on, I will be one of the first people through the door to offer my support. I genuinely wish whoever comes next every success, and I hope the whole community will get behind them, just as so many of you have supported us.
Because at the end of the day, The Ship is bigger than any one person. It's part of our village, our community and our lives, and I hope it has a wonderful future.
As for me, I don't want to look back with sadness alone.
I want to remember the laughter, the music, the friendships, the wonderful evenings, and most importantly, the people who made The Ship such a special place.
To my staff, I hope you know how much you mean to me. You've been far more than employees, you've been friends, and in many ways, a little family.
And to everyone who has walked through our doors over the last four and a half years, thank you for being part of our story.
The Ship may have closed its doors for now, but the friendships, laughter and memories will stay with me for the rest of my life.
With all my love and heartfelt thanks,
Paul ❤️
The Ship Inn, Trefin
