When Melissa Cross and Pru Hennessey first met 33 years ago, waitressing in Hayling Island, neither imagined that one day they’d be running a waterfront pub.

But that’s the thing about Melissa and Pru. Their story is stitched together with instinct, bravery, and a friendship that has weathered three decades of life, work, and reinvention. And four years ago, that story brought them to Hardway and into the heart of The Jolly Roger.

A leap into the unknown

Before they had ever pulled a pint, Melissa and Pru spent their days in the demanding world of mental health services, supporting patients who often couldn’t leave their homes. It was meaningful work but emotionally draining, and both women felt the quiet tug to seek something new. A different pace. A different kind of purpose.

So when Melissa spotted that a pub in Chichester was advertising for staff, the idea landed with surprising clarity. They’d always worked well together. Why not try something completely different, but together?

They said yes. And that simple yes set off a chain of events neither could have imagined.

After a short spell at the Anglesey Arms, the owners approached them with a proposition that stopped them in their tracks: Would you like to run The Jolly Roger in Gosport?

Melissa still laughs at the memory. “We’d never run a pub, and we didn’t know anyone in the area. It was terrifying, but exciting.”

But they did what they’ve always done and backed each other. They kept the existing team on at the pub, which proved invaluable. Those staff members introduced them to locals, shared the pub’s history, and helped them navigate the rhythms of a community they were only beginning to understand.

And slowly, pint by pint, conversation by conversation, Melissa and Pru stepped into a world where the community didn’t just welcome them – it taught them how to belong.

Becoming part of Hardway

Four years later, The Jolly Roger is not just a pub. It’s their home. Literally – they live upstairs. But more importantly, it’s where they’ve been welcomed, supported, and woven into the fabric of Hardway life.

“People have been coming here for years,” Pru says. “Locals introduced us to everyone, gave us pointers, helped us settle in. The community made this place feel like ours.”

Their most significant milestone came after their first year, when they were asked by the couple at The Anglesey Arms if they wanted to take the pub on themselves. To do that, they had to start their own company, complete a five-day intense course with the Brewery, Punch, earn personal licences, and pass every qualification thrown their way.

“It was intense,” Melissa says. “But exciting, and we were so ready for the challenge.”

A pub with a view – and a heart

Sitting right on the waterfront, The Jolly Roger has always been a summer favourite. It’s the kind of place where the harbour glitters in the sun and time seems to slow down. But over the past year, the pub has taken on a whole new life.

The brewery has invested £40,000 into transforming the outside space, adding a smart new patio, fresh signage, and a subtle sparkle indoors that ties it all together. The difference is striking. Customers have noticed, the local paper wrote a story about it, and people who’d lived in Hardway for years suddenly realised there was a gem of a pub tucked just out of sight.

With the makeover came something new: live singers outside. What started last summer as a bit of an experiment quickly became one of the pub’s most popular features – so much so that Melissa and Pru plan to make it a regular part of the warm-weather calendar.

“It’s beautiful now,” Pru says. “People want to sit outside, listen to the music, and enjoy the view. It’s become a real destination.”

Food, events, and the joy of bringing people together

The Jolly Roger’s menu is updated twice a year, but classics such as its award-winning pies remain unchanged. Melissa and Pru travel to Punch’s academy every few months to test dishes, learn about allergens, and keep things fresh. As well as this the team also make their own chicken strips and southern fried gravy. “We took the gravy off the menu once, and it didn’t go down well with the locals, so we quickly put it back on!” laughs Pru. “We always listen to the locals.”

But food is only part of the story.

Every Tuesday, bingo night fills the pub with regulars and newcomers. Once a month, local bands perform. Families gather for Easter and Halloween. And Christmas Eve – Pru’s favourite – is a full-on festive spectacle, complete with DJ, decorations, and a warm, buzzing atmosphere.

“It’s such a lovely night,” she says. “People use it as their meeting place, and the atmosphere is buzzing. It feels magical.”

And then there’s the Hardway Raft Race, which is their standout event of the year. For the past three years, the duo have built their own raft and raced from pier to pier, raising money for charities supporting young people, veterans, and local groups. And last year, they even came third.

“It brings everyone together,” Melissa says. “We have a BBQ, a raffle, and everyone is cheering each other on – it’s what community is all about.”

A Pub for everyone

One of the most striking things about The Jolly Roger is how naturally it attracts every generation. Elderly locals, young families, firstdate couples, and people returning decades later to reminisce. “Everyone finds a place here,” says Pru.

“We’ve even had people come in and say, ‘We had our first date here 30 years ago,’” Pru smiles. “It’s just lovely.”

Their Jolly Roger’s team reflects that same spirit. “We have watched shy 16-year-olds grow into confident young adults, including Nathan, who started as a pot washer and left as a manager before joining the Navy. Another young staff member, Amalie, has blossomed too. She joined at 16 as a shy youngster, and now she’s a confident 18-year-old. We love being a part of their stories. That’s what a local pub is all about!” says Melissa.

“Parents thank us for bringing their kids out of their shell,” Pru follows up, “and that means everything to us.”

Looking ahead

The Jolly Roger is evolving, and Melissa and Pru are far from finished. They have ideas for new events, new ways to use the space, and even dreams to bring the roof terrace to life. “That dream is a long way off,” laughs Pru. “But there are opportunities to evolve…we just want to keep growing – the pub, the community, the memories – all of it.”

Four years ago, Melissa and Pru arrived not knowing a soul. Today, they’re at the heart of Hardway – two best friends who leapt, built a life, and created a pub that feels like home to everyone who walks through the door.