Comments (1)

By Matt Furnell, 22/03/2010 6:19 pm

Bernard Lee, landlord of the John Barleycorn has lots to celebrate this year, having been in the pub business for 35 years, becoming an official pensioner and celebrating the first anniversary of his takeover of the pub, so he’s having a big bash on 27^th March.

Starting out his career as a rock guitarist, he soon got drawn into running pubs in Barnsley.  Thirty five years on, he has held key positions with John Smiths, National Vice President of the Licensed Victuallers Association and now runs his own pub training business alongside his Greene King pub.

Speaking about his year, Bernard said, “It’s been a busy year and seems set to continue which is great.  Since taking over the John Barleycorn we’ve re-thatched it and improved the business.  My OAP status certainly doesn’t mean I’ll be slowing down.  I love being in pubs and running them and am pleased that after one year at the John Barleycorn we can certainly celebrate in style its success and thank all the new and old customers we have at the 1^st anniversary party”.

Regional manager for Greene King, Phil Arnold said, “It just shows that if you have the passion and energy you can run a good pub whatever time of your life.  Bernard is one of our most enthusiastic licensees and it’s great to have him at the helm in the John Barleycorn”.

ENDS

Pictured: Still going strong behind the bar, Bernard Lee 

Press Contact: Elaine Beckett, PR & Comms Manager, Greene King Pub Partners, Tel: 07974 132844

Comments (0)

By Matt Furnell, 08/12/2009 2:13 pm

7 December 2009

Greene King plc today announces the retirement of David Elliott as Managing Director of Pub Partners, its tenanted pub division, and the appointment of Simon Longbottom as his successor.

After eleven years with Greene King and over 25 years in the industry, David Elliott, the current Managing Director of Pub Partners, has decided to retire. During his time at Pub Partners, David has overseen significant growth: from 620 to over 1,300 tenanted pubs and from £32 million of operating profit in 1998 to £71 million in 2008/9.  More recently, David and his team have been managing the division effectively through the current tough trading environment and delivering improved performance trends.

David will stay with Greene King until 31 January 2010 when he will also stand down from the Board.

Rooney Anand, Chief Executive of Greene King, commented:

“In the eleven years that he has been here, David has made a significant contribution to Pub Partners both in terms of growing profitability and the size and quality of the overall estate. 

“I would like to extend my sincere thanks and best wishes from everyone here at Greene King and wish him all the best for the future.”

Simon Longbottom (37), who will join the company on 1 February 2010, has spent his career working in the leisure industry.  He has particularly strong commercial and operations experience in the pub sector. 

He joins Greene King from Gala Coral Group where he was Managing Director of its Gaming Group.  Simon started his career at Bass Taverns and has since held senior positions at Mill House Inns and Mitchells & Butlers, with over 11 years experience in the pub sector.

Rooney Anand further commented:

“We are delighted that Simon Longbottom is joining the team at Greene King.  Simon has significant and highly relevant experience in the pub and leisure sectors, which will be invaluable to Pub Partners, particularly as we continue to take a leadership role in the adaptation and ongoing improvement of the tenanted pub model.”
- ends -

Enquiries:

Greene King plc Rooney Anand, Chief Executive Tel: 01284 763222
Financial Dynamics Ben Foster Tel: 020 7831 3113

Comments (1)

By Matt Furnell, 18/11/2009 2:56 pm

 The Port Mahon pub in Oxford has undergone a complete transformation by pub operators Joe Hill and Nick Bassett.  The duo, who already have the Fir Tree pub have used their experience to turn the Greene King pub around.

Speaking about their new venture, Nick said, “The Port Mahon is like two pubs rolled into one, the best of both worlds.  Sports fanatics can take advantage of the Sports bar with all the Sky features, whilst music lovers can enjoy the live entertainment in the traditional pub”.

Adding he said, “We wanted to bring the pub back to life.  It’s always had a reputation for good music but the pub needed some tlc and both Joe and I have given it that”.

Regional manager for Greene King, Robin Tidd said, “Nick and Joe know what they are doing and are just the right people to take this pub and make it work really well”.

Press Contact: Elaine Beckett, Public Relations Manager, Greene King Pub Partners

Tel: 07974 132844

Comments (0)

By Matt Furnell, 02/10/2009 2:57 pm

The Cock Inn in Gamlingay hosted its very own Proms in the Pub this weekend and handed over a cheque of £5,000 to Milton’s Children’s Hospice as part of the event.  The total raised so far by the pub comes to £32,000 with all the money going to Milton Children’s Hospice.

A 26 foot square screen broadcast the Proms live from the Albert Hall to a crowd of 450 at the pub.  All dressed to thrill in British Regalia, the Proms saw the crowds singing and waving flags as if they were at the real thing.

Speaking about the event, licensees of the Greene King pub Martin and Vanessa Roberts said, “This is a great way to bring the community together for a fun event and raise lots of money for charity in the process.  We’re a community pub and we want all our customers to know when they visit the Cock Inn they have a warm welcome and a good time, the Proms in the Pub certainly proved that”.

Regional Manager for Greene King, Richard Cobb said, “Pubs are vital and licensees who are able to bring all age groups together to mix and get together are worth their weight in gold.  Martin and Vanessa are great licensees and run a pub which is central to the community and this just shows in the event that took place this weekend.  We’re always keen to meet people just like them for our pubs”.

Comments (0)

By Matt Furnell,

Greene King Pub Partners has enhanced its induction programme further to lay down secure roots with Cellar Management becoming a mandatory subsidised course alongside Greene King’s Go for Growth programme for new licensees before they go into a pub.

Speaking about the compulsory training introduced for all new licensees, director of recruitment and training, Caroline Hollings said, “You wouldn’t let a chef in your kitchen if he couldn’t crack an egg and the same applies for running a pub.  Suggesting that a licensee can enter a pub without understanding the importance of cellar management, beer quality and dispense is tantamount to disaster in this trade.  Part of a pub’s appeal is serving a good quality pint so training is vital and we decided to make it mandatory for all new licensees who are already attending the Go for Growth programme”.

The training is subsidised by Greene King and provided by their cellar trainers within Brewing Company.  The licensees receive a full days training in all aspects of operating a cellar and serving a perfect pint. Mandatory training has already been successfully implemented with Pub Partners Go for Growth, Planning for Success induction programme which focuses on preparing new licensees to take on their pub effectively and help it grow.

Adding, Hollings said, “We’ve seen an improvement in retention of new licensees as a consequence of our Go for Growth training with our retention currently tracking at 89% for licensees in their first year.   Making the cellar training essential too will help licensees make more of their business at the very beginning. This early training along with our Specialist trainers and final interview by an operations director ensures we have the right people in the pubs but most importantly the right start to make their businesses a success”.

Comments (0)

By Matt Furnell, 25/09/2009 11:25 am

Local entrepreneurs, Shane and Zoe Murphy will open their second Greene King pub in three months, The Swan in Long Melford on the 2^nd October.  The couple who also refurbished and re-opened the Angel in Sudbury in August have done the same with Swan, fully renovating the site themselves and creating an upmarket pub with food.

 Previous careers in golf course management and IT, the couple have taken their expertise and created much needed individual pubs with a contemporary design used to uplift the original features of both these historic properties. 

 Zoe says, “We have created a concept which will appeal to everyone who is looking for great food and service in a modern yet cosy environment.  Both the Swan and the Angel are places you can feel comfortable to meet friends, spend an occasion with your family or enjoy an intimate meal.  Our menus use all locally sourced supplies and all dishes are home cooked on the premises by our chef, Jarred Harris.

 Adding, “All you here about these days is pubs closing, and not about the investment that is going into so many.  You have to look at the area and what is needed and then have the courage to create it and I know Shane and I have worked hard to do that bringing these traditional pubs back to life.  We’re certainly looking forward to welcoming customers to the Swan and know they’ll enjoy it as much as the Angel in Sudbury”.

 Operations director for Greene King, Clive Chesser said, “Zoe and Shane are excellent examples of people who can breathe life into pubs.  Their passion and skills have created two brilliant venues in Suffolk which I’m sure will appeal to people far and wide.  More people with enthusiasm and vision like them are needed to run pubs today”.

The Swan opens to the public on Friday 2^nd October following a six week refurbishment which includes a new large heated patio area to the rear, new toilets, redecorated and modernised bar and dining area.  Plans are already in place to create boutique style en suite guests rooms at the Swan for the Spring.

 Ends

 Pub Contact: Zoe Murphy, Tel: 07918749845

Press Contact: Elaine Beckett, Public Relations Manager, Greene King Pub Partners, Tel: 07974 132844

Comments (1)

By Elaine Beckett, 24/09/2009 4:33 pm

Renowned multiple licensee Ted Docherty has got another “pizza the action” by taking on his third pub with Greene King Pub Partners under his tailor made concept.

Ted already runs four successful food pubs, two with Greene King and is now launching the Kings Arms in Litton near Bath under the tailor made pizzas and tailor made fish banners.

Speaking about his new venture Ted says, “Our concept works because people have their favourite foods and what tailor made invites them to do is build their own dish just the way they like it, so you choose a pizza base and the rest is up to you. If you want plain cheese and tomato or sausage, squid and pineapple you can have it. The same goes for the fish dishes, choose the fillet, the size and weight, how you want it cooking and away you go. Our fresh counters display the food customers can choose to eat – they make the decisions not a faceless chef”

Ted first brought his tailor made steak and burger concept to the area at the Warwick Arms in Clutton only last year following his success at the Greene King pub, the Percy Arms in Guildford.

Adding he said, “It’s all about satisfying the customer and not keeping to a rigid menu. Customers are being far more adventurous these days and so tailor made enables them to create something different or just enjoy one of their old favourites. The result is, everyone’s happy”.

Operations director for Greene King, Steve Worrall said, “It’s brilliant to be able to work with Ted on another pub. His passion for food and customers makes every venue he opens worth a visit and we’re extremely happy that his new site is from our quality pub estate”.

The Kings Arms opens on Monday 8th June and there’s 50% off every meal for the whole of June.

Ends

Press Contact: Elaine Beckett, Public Relations Manager, Greene King Pub Partners, Tel: 07974 132844

Pub Contact: Ted Docherty, Tel: 07748 305052, http://www.tmsteaks.co.uk/

Comments (0)

By Matt Furnell, 22/09/2009 4:05 pm

All the latest news about how to start running a Greene King pub