Sisters clock up 51 years at The Humphrey Bean

Siblings Bella and Hana have clocked up more than 50 years’ combined service with Wetherspoon.

Part-time bar associate Hana has worked for the company for 26 years, while pub manager Bella marked 25 years with Wetherspoon in March 2025.

Both working at The Humphrey Bean, they are pictured with area manager Anthony and general manager Tim.

Bella has only ever worked at The Humphrey Bean, initially joining the company as a kitchen associate when her youngest daughter was just two and a half.

Bella recalled: “Hana joined the team at the newly opened Opera House as a bar associate, when it first opened in April 1997.

“She then moved to The Humphrey Bean when the pub newly opened in December 1998.

“She told me that they were looking for kitchen staff, so I applied.

“I had an interview, was accepted and started working in the kitchen three evenings a week. I have never left.”

Bella remained as a part-time kitchen team member until her daughters (Jade, now 27, and Lucy, now 30) were a little older, when she decided to take on a full-time role in the pub’s kitchen.

She progressed through the ranks and was promoted in 2014 to kitchen manager.

Bella, 48, said: “I was happy as a team leader, doing what I was doing, but the pub manager at the time was looking for a kitchen manager, so I stepped up.

“I stayed in that role until taking over as pub manager in November 2019.”

She continued: “I’ve been quite lucky, as I have never felt pushed into anything – and this was a natural progression for me.

“I had been kitchen manager for a long time and was ready for a new challenge.

“The pub manager was asked to help in another pub and so this was my time.”

Without too much front-of-house experience, Bella asked her knowledgeable management team to ‘treat her like an associate for four weeks’, to quickly learn the ropes.

Bella added: “I’m lucky to have such a good front-of-house team, and everything came together.

“I enjoy, and am good at, what I do and have no reason to want to go anywhere else. If I did want a change at any stage, there are plenty of opportunities within the company.”

Hana worked her way up to shift leader, always working evening shifts, until her youngest of four children started secondary school.

Bella reported: “At that stage, Hana got other day-time work, but stayed on at the pub for one evening shift per week.

“She really enjoys it, has always worked front of house and is very personable. She knows a lot of the regular customers, has great knowledge and experience and still fits in her one shift with us.