A HEREFORD pub landlady has said that an iconic mural on the building is bringing in more guests, and has been a great addition after the struggles brought by Covid-19 and the cost of living crisis.

The Herdsman in Widemarsh road is renowned as a sports bar that hosts regular darts events.

The licensee is Doreen Higgins, who has been behind the bar for 19 years.

Recently, the Herdsman was chosen as one of several locations in Hereford to receive a new look, with a beautiful mural of a cow and a calf painted on one side.

The cow and calf mural at the Herdsman pub was painted by Curtis Hylton and celebrates the county's farming heritage.

The mural has been popular with local people, and Ms Higgins said that she believes it may have helped attract more customers. 

Hereford Times: Doreen Higgins outside the HerdsmanDoreen Higgins outside the Herdsman (Image: Bridie Adams)

Ms Higgins said: "People keep coming in and telling us how much they love the mural, particularly the detail of the robin. We weren't expecting the robin to be added, but the artist added it as his touch."

She said that the pub and Admiral, the pub company, were given a choice of a few different designs, with the chosen one having stood out to them.

The family are from Hereford, with Ms Higgins saying she took over the licence after the pub had been left empty by previous tenants.

"We're still here after 19 years and I think I might be one of the oldest landladies in Hereford," she said. She is planning to have a big party next year to celebrate 20 years as the landlady.

As well as darts and skittles, the pub can also be hired out for weddings, wakes, birthday parties and other events.

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This Saturday, April 20, the pub is hosting a darts tournament in memory of Ms Higgins' grandson Jamie Tyler who died when he was just three years old from the rare genetic condition Leigh's Disease.

Entrants must register by 4.45pm on the day to start at 5pm, with men's entry costing £10 and women's costing £7. 

If you're not into darts yourself, you can still go into the pub by Saturday to make a donation which will go to the child loss charity 4 Louis. The event also includes a raffle.