A mum-of-two who quit her pub job says she is over-the-moon to have opened her own bar in a converted horsebox.

Hannah Payne, from Dover, decided to transform the old trailer into a trendy portable bar after missing the buzz of working in a pub.

The 28-year-old worked as the bar manager at the Three Cups, in Crabble Hill, from 2019 until 2021 but left when it was put on the market.

The Three Cups eventually closed in January 2023, and plans were revealed to convert it into homes.

Mrs Payne then worked at B&Q, until three weeks ago when she launched The Tipsy Trailer.

The mum said: “My friend was selling a horsebox, but then I found one in Reading which was better quality.

“When we picked it up, I just knew.

“It was quite an empty shell so I was able to make it my own. I hand-painted it, got all the decorations and our first event was Saturday.

“I am over-the-moon to be able to get out there and start trading.”

Mrs Payne says ever since leaving the pub two years ago she has wanted to get back behind the bar, and thought this was the perfect way to do so without having to fork out for a pricey premises.

“When I was working at the pub, my wage only just covered childcare costs and I worked most evenings," she said.

“But, it gave me a bit of independence back after having my son in 2018.

“I am hoping this time around, now I am working for myself, I will be able to provide a stable income for my sons whilst still getting to have quality time as a family.

“Working in the bar industry was something I enjoyed and buying the trailer was a way I could afford to get back into that business. Buying a whole premises is crazy.”

Despite it being early days, Mrs Payne is already looking ahead to the future.

She said: “The dream is to eventually have a few and do lots of events, but we will have to wait and see.

“We have had such a positive response online which has been phenomenal – I am so appreciative of it all.”

Mrs Payne had her first event with The Tipsy Trailer yesterday and has secured four more bookings in the next two months, which she says feels great so early on.

The horsebox has no hire fee, in a bid to help customers during the cost-of-living crisis.

“People with smaller budgets will be able to hire it because the guests will pay for their drinks,” she said.

“I thought this would appeal to people but there is always the option for an open bar.

“I feel like people are always getting married or having christenings so although some months might be tough, it is about persevering through that.

“In the winter it may die down, but in the summer I am really looking forward to it and having that positive outlook on it.

“I am going to run with it as much as I can.”

Mrs Payne hopes the business will work around her family, including her two sons who are aged five, and nine months old.

She added: “My mother-in-law has invested in it so it is a really special little business we will have between us.”

Mrs Payne, who is married to Lance, will mostly run the bar herself, but family are around if she needs an extra pair of hands.

The Tipsy Trailer is available to travel all over Kent and Mrs Payne says in the future she is going to look into attending festivals outside of the county.