BIDDULPH BECKONS ONCE MORE AS NICOLA AND CHARLES CELEBRATE

Husband-and-wife Wetherspoon managers Nicola and Charles have, between them, clocked up more than 50 years’ service for the company.

Both born and bred in the Black Country and with previous employment experience in the hotel sector, the couple joined Wetherspoon in December 1997, embarking on their first four months’

training at The Lamb (Edmonton) (now closed), in north London.

They spent a short spell at The Sir John Oldcastle, before taking on their first pub management role together, almost a year to the day since joining the company.

In August 2000, they moved again to The Reginald Mitchell before taking over at The Bradley Green in February 2003, where they spent more than a decade as pub managers.

Nicola recalled: “We were at The Bradley Green for a long time and are still in touch, through social media, with many of the regulars there.”

She added: “We also won several in-house awards at the pub and enjoyed some great achievements.”

It was, therefore, fitting that the couple returned to The Bradley Green for their 25-year service certificate presentation.

Nicola, who is now pub manager at The Old Swan, and Charles (shift manager at The Green Dragon) are pictured with Wetherspoon’s area manager Kat and regional

manager Debbie.

In March 2014, Nicola and Charles moved to The Bole Bridge, where they spent just over four years, before their career paths changed.

Nicola reported: “In June 2019, Charles stepped down to shift-manager level, moving to The Wye Bridge House before transferring in November 2021 to The Green Dragon as kitchen manager.

“He’s a very sociable person, so he reverted to a front-of-house role at The Green Dragon, where he currently works as a shift manager.

“Charles, who was 55 in August, is really enjoying being back working face to face with customers.”

Nicola joined the team at The Old Swan as shift manager, stepping back up to pub manager in October 2021, and was soon enjoying success again with the pub’s first inclusion in the publication by the Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA), The Good Beer Guide 2023.

Nicola, who turned 50 this year, said: “When we joined Wetherspoon, truthfully, I didn’t anticipate that we would still be here 25 years on…that is half my life!

“It’s also like a silver wedding anniversary for us, which we will also be personally celebrating next year too.”

She concluded: “I have always worked in hospitality and, to be honest, have always seen it as a vocation, rather than a job.”

Wetherspoon’s regional manager, Debbie, said: “Thanks to Charles and Nicola for 25 years’ outstanding service and dedication to the company.