Landlord and landlady to leave The Golden Lion in Romanby

Doug Hall, 80, and wife Pearl, 67, have been in the pub trade for decades, but it's their work at The Golden Lion in Romanby, Northallerton, that fills them with the most pride.

After taking over the boozer on April 3, 2004, they're now ready to step into retirement on Sunday (May 17), as they say a fond farewell to regulars and pour their final pints.

Doug and Pearl Hall outside The Golden Lion, Romanby (Image: ANDY FUTERS/NORTHERN ECHO)

The couple have taken the Ainderby Road pub from a village watering hole to a community hub which nurtures its darts, dominoes, pool and football teams.

Despite experiencing "ups and downs along the way," the couple say they "wouldn't trade the experience for the world".

Doug and Pearl Hall have run The Golden Lion for 22 years (Image: ANDY FUTERS/NORTHERN ECHO)

"Seeing our regulars and customers is a pleasure and a joy, and it's because of them that we've kept going for all of these years," said Doug.

"Romanby is a wonderful place full of wonderful people, and we've been lucky to serve them for all of these years."

Doug and Pearl Hall (Image: ANDY FUTERS/NORTHERN ECHO)

On Sunday, the couple will step away from the pub to enjoy retirement.

While they describe the decision as "a very, very tough one," they want to spend their retirement together.

Doug and Pearl Hall inside The Golden Lion (Image: ANDY FUTERS/NORTHERN ECHO)

"I'm 80 years of age, and I'm not getting any younger," Doug joked.

"We can't wait to retire and spend some more time to ourselves. Running a pub has been fantastic, but every minute of the day is taken up with it.

Doug and Pearl Hall outside The Golden Lion in 2005 (Image: NORTHERN ECHO ARCHIVE)

"The time has come for retirement."

And they hope to spend their time watching horse racing, other sports and enjoying life in Romanby as "just a regular local".

Doug and Pearl outside the pub in 2010 (Image: NORTHERN ECHO ARCHIVE)

Doug added: "After 22 years, it's going to be so difficult to say goodbye to this place and the regulars, but it feels like the right time".

But despite stepping away, Doug and Pearl have vowed to visit "from time to time" as it transitions to become a Punch Tavern-owned boozer.

Doug and Pearl Hall behind the bar of The Golden Lion in 2010 (Image: NORTHERN ECHO ARCHIVE)

After their retirement, The Golden Lion will be closed for up to six weeks for a refurb.

And the couple have called on the community to continue supporting the pub under its new ownership.

Doug and Pearl Hall in 2010 (Image: NORTHERN ECHO ARCHIVE)

"Whoever comes in next, we want people to give them the same support as we had," Doug said.

"Punch has been great to us, they invited us down to Burton-on-Trent to celebrate our retirement and invited us to St George's Park, the home of England Football - it was an incredible experience."

They leave the pub a lot different to how they found it 22 years ago, with "numerous changes" to pub culture, including the customers, culture, and prices.

"The biggest change we've seen is that younger generations have so many hobbies, including going to the gym, keeping fit and being healthy. They're steering away from the pubs and are drinking less," Doug added.

Doug and Pearl outside the pub in 2010 (Image: NORTHERN ECHO ARCHIVE)

"But we've seen our customers stay loyal to us. And we've also noticed people aren't coming to the pub to watch live sport because it's cheaper to stay at home.

"The prices of things have gone up, and people are making cutbacks. It's been a real struggle, but the regulars kept us going all this time.

"It's been a miracle to make it to 22 years at times, when other venues around us have closed. But we've offered the warm hospitality, food and drink, and something has seemed to click."

Doug, a former local football referee for decades, has said that retirement will now mean that he'll get to watch grassroots football a lot more.

The husband and wife team capped off their time at The Golden Lion on Friday (May 15), hosting a farewell party with live music for regulars.