“IF, 30 YEARS ago, I had visited a fortune teller and been told that one day I’d own motorbikes, have a beautiful wife and sell beer for a living, I’d have said ‘Great, I’ll take that.’”

For Paul Hanson, the biggest surprise of the three predictions would have been the latter: it happened when he became the owner of a micro pub in the space of just four days.

“A friend was selling a micro pub, I met him to talk about it on the Wednesday, spoke to my partner - now my wife Catherine - then shook hands on the Saturday. I’d never owned a pub before, and never been self-employed, but I jumped in with both feet, it was idiotic when I think about it.”

Paul took the helm at Early Doors in Newmarket Street, Skipton - our Telegraph & Argus Pub of the Week - in October 2017. A quirky pub renowned for real ale and friendly banter, he soon put his stamp on it.

On one wall sit paintings and photographs of Second World War aircraft. “My dad was a Spitfire mechanic so the wall is a tribute to him. I have a picture of him up there.”

Another wall houses a display of motorcycle pictures and helmets, to reflect his love of bikes (he owns two). “I had a few old helmets in my garage and brought them in and then other people began to bring them. It’s a bit of fun.”

“I’ve got model motorbikes in an alcove and some boxing memorabilia on another wall - I used to box when I was younger. I’m a big sci-fi fan and keep threatening to do a Star Trek wall. The different things on display get people talking,” he says.

The small pub has two permanent beers Pendleside and New Zealand Pale Ale from Reedley Hallows brewery in Burnley, alongside others. “We always have a bitter, a blonde and a porter/stout all sourced locally.”

Growing up in Kent and Barnoldswick, Paul is well-travelled, having served in the Royal Navy and later working as chief engineer on mega yachts in the Mediterranean, Caribbean and USA.

He lived for a time in South Africa before selling up and returning to Yorkshire not long before he bought the pub. He was nervous about taking it on “but in a healthy way - more excited,” he says. “I just got on with it. I had never bought beer or done accounts or anything like that. I’ve made some mistakes but learned from them. Engineers want to make things more efficient than they were the day before - that’s me.”

Paul is helped by Tracy, who works part-time in the pub, serving regulars and tourists. “We get plenty of visitors who love it. We have a good laugh,” he says. Some visitors have come after hearing Paul win the BBC2 pop music

He enjoys being his own boss. “I love going into work every day. It’s a challenge, in a good way.”

Some visitors have come after hearing Paul win on the BBC2 Radio 2 pop music quiz PopMaster. The pub also gets an occasional mention in the Daily Mirror, courtesy of journalist and regular Paul Routledge

Originally named Early Doors after the TV comedy series set in a small Manchester pub, the name now reflects its opening hours. Early Doors opens Wednesday to Sunday, from 12 to 8pm.

*Early Doors, Newmarket Street, Skipton, BD23 2HX