The Berkeley Arms in St John's is run by retired NHS nurse and son

The Berkeley Arms on School Road is a building that dates back to the 1800s and could have been used as a pub as early as Victorian times. 

But mother and son duo, Beverly and Ashley Walton, took over the pub three years ago in August 2020 during the height of the pandemic. 

Pub: Mother and son duo, Beverly and Ashley Walton are the landlords of a St John's pub (Image: NQ)

Although, Mrs Walton said she never thought she would be the landlady, Mr Walton boasts of 12 years of hospitality experience before opening up his pub with his mum. 

Mrs Walton said: "I retired in 2020 and my son asked if I would like to buy a pub and he said 'it would keep me young' but I didn't think I would end up a landlady.

Pub: Mother and son duo, Beverly and Ashley Walton are the landlords of a St John's pub (Image: NQ)

"I knew I wanted to be a nurse at the age of 10."

Mrs Walton said she enjoys her people-facing role as a landlady because it reminds her of her role in the NHS.

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Pub: Punters can play darts at the pub (Image: NQ)

She said: "I was a sister and coordinator in mental health for Worcestershire Health and Care Trust for 38 years and I loved working with people. I am a people person." 

PUB: The Berkeley Arms in St John's is run by a mother and son duo (Image: NQ)

The pub has positive signs up on the walls such as 'you'll never walk alone' and a beer garden because Mrs Walton believes affirmations, talking to people and open space is good for your mental health. 

PUB: The Berkeley Arms in St John's is run by a mother and son duo (Image: NQ)

She said: "I love working front-of-house and talking to people, I like to look after people and make sure they're okay."

PUB: The Berkeley Arms in St John's is run by a mother and son duo. This is the snug room (Image: NQ)

Mr Walton said: "There is a lot of life in this pub, everyone and anyone is welcome.

"You can come in here on your own and walk out with new friends."

History of the pub

The landlady said a Victorian woman called Rosemary Colton used to run the pub with her partner, Fred Knott in the 1900s. 

A photo was taken of when she and Fred ran the pub from around the 1920s until the mid-1940s. 

Before then Mrs Walton said the pub could have been two separate cottages until the wall was broken down making it into one building. 

PUB: The Berkeley Arms in St John's is run by a mother and son duo (Image: NQ)

The Berkeley Arms pub

The Waltons first opened their doors in 2020 and were met with several restrictions due to COVID-19.

PUB: The Berkeley Arms in St John's is run by a mother and son duo (Image: NQ)

Mrs Walton said: "Even after the pandemic, it is tough with all the overheads, but we have to keep thinking outside the box, we do charity events and with my background, I like to give back."

PUB: The Berkeley Arms in St John's is run by a mother and son duo (Image: NQ)

Mrs Walton said women feel comfortable coming to the pub alone because of the calm and welcoming atmosphere. 

PUB: The Berkeley Arms in St John's is run by a mother and son duo (Image: NQ)

Regular customers know the pub for its live music charity fundraisers and interactive events such as darts. 

PUB: The Berkeley Arms in St John's is run by a mother and son duo. This is the snug room (Image: NQ)

They also let people use their 'snug' room for events such as wakes and christenings. 

PUB: The Berkeley Arms in St John's is run by a mother and son duo. This is the snug room (Image: NQ)

Mrs Walton said: "This is a tough climate and we want to give something back.

"We are not greedy and they'll always buy drinks while they're at the event."