1 YEAR AT THE KINGS ARMS
1 YEAR AGO, ADAM TOOK OVER THE KINGS ARMS AND OPENED THE DOOR PUBLICALLY ON FRIDAY 30TH JUNE 2023.
I HAVE KNOWN ADAM FOR A FEW YEARS BUT OVER THE LAST 12 MONTHS, WE HAVE WORK VERY CLOSELY TOGETHER IN NOT ONLY ADVERTISING HIS CONTENT BUT ALSO HE HELPS ME SHARE MY FUNDRAISING WORK IN THE PUB.
TO CELEBRATE THE 1 YEAR MARK, I HAVE ASKED HIM A FEW QUESTIONS ABOUT HIS TIME TAKING OVER THE PUB
ADAM MANNNG(LEFT) WITH STEVE KILLICK (RIGHT)
HOW HAVE YOU FOUND THE LAST 12 MONTHS AS A WHOLE?
It's been a lot of hard work but thankfully I've got a lot of good friends who have supported me.
My team have been fantastic and my Landlord john has been really supportive.
On a personal level being self employed and no longer working for a big company has been a complete life changer in regards to quality of life
NOW THE BARS ARE COMPLETED, WHAT IS THE NEXT PROJECT YOU WILL BE TACKLING?
We have already done so much but there are still plenty of things that I want to do and improve.
The elephant in the room is the kitchen 😅
Christine used to do fantastic food and I think that people struggle to understand why I haven't done it quicker.
I had planned on doing food within a few months but having worked in the industry for over 20 years I have learned (an often the hard way) that is very important to have your ducks in perfect order when food is involved.
As well as this the kitchen needs a lot of work to bring it up to modern standards which will involve a further significant investment... this is definitely next but have learned that things change and dates move so all I will say for the moment is "as soon as possible"
HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN IN THE PUB INDUSTRY?
I've worked in the pub industry since the age of 18 when I took a part time bar job at my local (my dad and set mum ran the same pub for 5 years previously) and got my first assistant manager appointment with Whitbread at 19.
I've worked for most of the big boys over the years and learned a lot from them but now this is my moment
HOW HAS THE KINGS ARMS DIFFERED FROM OTHER PUBS YOU HAVE MANAGED?
Every pub is different but equally you come across the same personalities and problems no matter where you go.
The obvious difference is suppose is being able to make my own decisions and guide the direction of the business without someone breathing down me neck telling me what to do...
The positive change in stress levels and work / life balance has been a game changer!
DO YOU THINK THE PUB INDUSTRY IS HARD NOW?
The glory days when all the pubs were full no matter what are definitely gone but that being said I've managed to carve a good career out of it and like to think I have been successful in both of my term as manager of the red lion and now here at the Kings Arms... I'm only 1 year in so not counting my chickens just yet!
WHAT WOULD YOUR ADVICE BE TO ANYONE WHO IS THINKING OF RUNNING A PUB?
If you haven't worked in the industry before... don't jump in and think it's all butterfly's and rainbows. Have seen people fail over and over who have thought that.
Cut your teeth with the big companies, experience the highs and lows and get an understanding of the trade. People frown at the big firms and in many ways they are all as good and as bad as each other but they know the industry and have a lot of knowledge to pass on.
Lastly... pubs are about people.
I used to joke that if it wasn't for all of these customers I'd actually have time to do my job... of course in reality, customers are the job
THANK YOU SO MUCH ADAM FOR THE LAST 12 MONTHS AND I LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING WHERE WE BOTH ARE IN ANOTHER 12 MONTHS TIME.
IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO CHECK OUT HIS PUB, THEN HEAD OVER TO HIS PAGE TO SEE WHAT HE HAS DONE TO THE PLACE.
Thank you for taking the time for reading this blog post.
Please leave a comment below of your experience of the King's Arms and share this blog with your family and friends ❤️❤️
IF YOU ARE REALLY STRUGGLING THEN PLEASE SEEK PROFESSIONAL HELP.
