Landlords, George and Rose Morgan are set to retire from the Cremorne Tavern, Yarmouth after 27 years.

They became pub landlords when Margaret Thatcher was prime minister, plans to build the Channel Tunnel were announced and a pint of beer cost 50p.

Landlords, George and Rose Morgan are set to retire from the Cremorne Tavern, Yarmouth after 27 years.

But 27 years after taking on the Cremorne Tavern, in Havelock Road, husband and wife team George and Rose Morgan have decided to call last orders.

The Cremorne is an institution in south Yarmouth, with two former mayors having counted themselves as regulars.

And the Morgans say are sad to have to go, but their age has forced them to retire.

“It can be a stressful job but it’s enjoyable,” said Rose, 72. “It’s a way of life not a job.

“We don’t want to leave but we’ve bought another property so we can retire.

“There’s a new couple taking over.”

The couple lived in London where George, 81, worked as a butcher, but fell in love with Yarmouth when they bought a holiday home in Havelock Road.

They had been visiting for three years when the tenancy of the pub next door became available in August 1986 and the rest is history.

“We struggled with it for the first 18 months but then it got better and it’s been very good to me since then,” said George. “There are a lot of good memories and people say it’s like a club.”

Rose added: “It’s a very local trade here.

“But we get people from Filby as well, and we’re on first name terms with everyone.

“I think we know everyone who walks in the door.”

She said the secret to keeping regulars happy is “not changing anything”, and keeping the pub “how people like it with entertainment”.

Former mayors Michael Jeal and Sue Robinson have been regulars at the Cremorne, and the pub has survived two recessions.

“No smoking affected us but people have got used to it and are accepting it now,” revealed George. “All these night clubs and places opening all day has affected us.

“And the price of beer then was a bit different - more like 50p a pint!”

But the pair - who have two sons - coped with all the change to pubs, and say luck has been on their side despite the number 13 cropping up throughout.

“We moved out of number 13, we moved into the pub on the 13th and we’re moving out in 2013 but it’s been a good number for us,” smiled Rose. “I’m planning to do nothing with my retirement!

“Just have a lie in in the morning.”

Their farewell party was held at the pub last Saturday, and regulars say they will be missed.

Gorleston man Ron Darby, who has provided pub entertainment under the name Rockin’ Ronnie for the last 14 years, said: “It’s been brilliant and it will be sad to see them go.

“It’s the end of an era as it’s more like a family than a pub.”

The Morgans have hailed Margaret and Ronnie Rumsby who got them into the pub trade, and everyone else who has helped them over the years.