A COUPLE who nearly risked bankruptcy on an investment saw their fortunes change and now run a pub inside a converted double decker bus. James Hay, 40, and partner Charley Base, 39, always dreamt of running their own business together but had never found the right opportunity. The couple almost signed on a brick and mortar pub lease in early 2020 before “easing off the gas” due to the pandemic.
This decision, James reckons, likely saved them around £100,000 and from a potential bankruptcy . Now, they run their pub Ludo's from inside an old double decker bus. James, originally from Portsmouth, couldn't believe his luck when he found out the previous lease on the bus was ending.
It was being shared at the time by brewery Earth as a taproom as well as a board game café during the day. However, after they moved out, it gave the perfect opportunity for James and Charley to move in and swoop up the desirable site. Taking over the lease, the couple injected £20,000 into restoring the bus from its previous state.
That included a professional beer system installation, new fridges, and a general refresh to the bus interior. Most read in Motors The result is a cosy and warm environment that would make any pubgoer feel at home. Charley, a comedy act booker, and James regularly run comedy nights on the top floor of the bus, as well as live music, and pub quizzes.
We went along to one music event and spoke to those attending, as well as one of the performers. Fi, 25, described the .
