A definite win-win for young manager Joshua

Pub manager Joshua Bottomley started his Wetherspoon career as an under-18 part-time floor associate, while studying for his A levels.

Fast forward from October 2016 – and Joshua marked two years (in February 2025) as manager of the pub where he started – The Premier.

Joshua recalled: “When I turned 18, I stepped up to work on the bar and was promoted, in quick succession, to team leader and shift leader.”

Although he cites several staff departures which aided his speedy progression, it was his own abilities which clearly made those promotions possible.

Joshua, who hails from St Helens, continued: “When I finished my A levels, I always wanted to go on to university, to study for a business degree; so, as soon as I found out that I could do that through work, I jumped at the opportunity.”

Joshua completed his level-5 apprenticeship in July 2024 and is currently working towards level 6 and gaining his degree, with graduation set for the summer of 2025.

He admitted: “It is challenging, juggling a full-time job with the studying, and is a lot of hard work, but definitely a win-win.

“To be able to study for a degree, as part of a career path, was a big attraction for me. We are fortunate that the company offers this opportunity.”

That career path saw Joshua spend a short spell at The Court Leet, from June 2022, in preparation for his role as pub manager, alongside experienced pub manager Lisa Newton.

He said: “Lisa was great with me. She gave me free rein to find my feet and progress, giving me the confidence and knowledge to know exactly what it would be like to have my own pub.

“As a result, when I took on The Premier in February 2023 as pub manager, it was exactly what I expected, and things are going well.”

Joshua, 25, continued: “The majority of the team I have known and worked with for most of my eight years with the company.

“We have a good relationship, and those long-standing ties certainly made it probably the easiest jump into pub management which I could have hoped for. To have familiar surroundings and people has been great.”

But as a self-confessed career-motivated person, Joshua is already looking to his future. He added: “My first aim is to get my degree while I’m at The Premier, before building up to a larger and busier pub.

“I need to step outside of my comfort zone, with new people and environments, to see whether I can cope and progress.”

Joshua concluded: “Perhaps a role as area manager or auditor could be something for the future, but I certainly see a long-term career with Wetherspoon. The company has been good to me.”