Is this Britain's youngest pub landlord? Politics student, 18, ditches university to take over 18th century boozer despite being barely old enough to drink himself

A politics student has walked away from his university degree to become one of Britain's youngest pub landlords despite being barely old enough to drink himself. 

Hugo Willett, 18, is set to take charge of The Bowl Inn in Hastingleigh, Kent, known for its fine selection of local ales and being a mainstay in the Camra Good Beer Guide for the last 18 years. 

The teenager will take over the reins of the 18th century boozer once his licence is approved - in the meantime his pub veteran father Harry will be in temporary charge.

In doing so, Mr Willett is ditching his bachelors degree in politics at the University of Kent but the youngster has no regrets on the career change.

He said: 'Although I have a strong interest in politics - hence doing that at uni - I had to jump at the opportunity to have my dream career running such a beautiful, traditional pub.

'Ultimately, it's what I have always wanted to do so it was the right decision to leave uni in favour of running The Bowl.' 

The pub, which dates back to the 1740s, was previously under the stewardship of Annie Blown who was in charge for two decades. 

An army of dedicated regulars already frequents the watering hole - a prospect Mr Willett admits he found somewhat daunting. 

'I knew the locals already as I've grown up in the area,' he said.

'But it was a bit daunting having the locals coming back in after we reopened, having closed for a few days during the handover.

'I was worried that they wouldn't like the new changes - not that much has changed - but I still had a little bit of doubt about that.

'But so far it's been incredible. We're overwhelmed with the amount of support we've had from locals and new faces as well.

'I think the locals are just pleased to have a local pub at all really.'

The takeover follows the closure of swathes of restaurants and pubs throughout Kent and the UK as bills soar and drinking habits change.

But The Bowl appears to have stood firm by sticking to its roots and maintaining and growing its repeat customer base.

Young landlord Mr Willett hopes to maintain the tavern's reputation for good beer and work to support local breweries and suppliers.

'Local produce is really important to us - especially local beer and real ale,' he added.

Changes Mr Willett has implemented already include offering more food at the weekends as well as a more extensive wine list.

Plans for more live music at the watering hole are also in the works, whilst village favourites such as the monthly quiz and annual beer festival will stay.

Mr Willett said: 'We've started doing more food at the weekend, which there hasn't been properly for a few years.

'Bringing in food for walkers and they're able to walk up and bring their dog and have a sandwich, that kind of thing.'

However, the teenager recognises that the key to running the village inn lies in not changing too much.

'The building has pretty much been largely unchanged for the past 300 or so years,' Mr Willett said.

'So I think a key aspect of running this place is maintaining that history and not bringing in masses and masses of change - keeping it how it is because that works for the local village.

'The locals all absolutely love The Bowl. It's about maintaining that history but also breathing some fresh life in.'

Mr Willett already has some pint-pulling under his belt, having worked both front and back of house in a few local watering holes.

'It's daunting from the aspect of there's a lot to do, and obviously it's a big change for me coming from just working in them as opposed to actually being in charge,' he said.

'But I've got my parents behind me, backing me 100 per cent and they've run pubs in the past. They've got experience and they know how it all works.

'I think it's really good for the industry to be having younger people coming in.

'It's quite difficult for pubs in local villages to be making money these days.

'That's why you see so many closing down or being taken over by bigger breweries and such.

'So I think it's really good that our local village has a free house, and to have such a young landlord running the place I think is really nice.

'Just to breathe some fresh air into the community and get some younger faces in the pub.'

When he's not pulling pints, Mr Willett likes politics, history and working on his classic car - a 1971 MGB GT.

One of his biggest early challenges will be The Bowl's hotly-anticipated annual beer festival, which takes place this August bank holiday Monday.

He added: 'We've got bands all day, face painting for the kids, a barbecue, lots of food, real ales and local beers.

'It's all in aid of the Pilgrims Hospice too.'