From pot-washers to managers

Brothers Paul and Darren each started with Wetherspoon as a 16-year-old part-time pot-washer at The Lord Rosebery.

For Paul, that was in February 2012, and he is now pub manager (his first pub as manager) at The Benjamin Fawcett, having taken over there in June 2024.

Darren, two years younger than Paul, joined his brother in January 2025 at The Benjamin Fawcett as kitchen manager.

Paul recalled: “I was still at sixth-form college when I got the weekend job at The Lord Rosebery to earn money to take my girlfriend out.

“My girlfriend, Skigh (pronounced ‘sky’), became my wife, and I became a pub manager.”

He continued: “I had planned to go to university to study accountancy, but, in the end, decided that it wasn’t for me.

“My college course was only one day a week. So, as an under-18 at the pub, I grabbed all of the hours’ work I could.

“I left home and rented a place of my own and was working silly hours to pay the bills.

“At work, I progressed to kitchen team leader, but, at that time, there was no further promotion available in the kitchen at the pub.”

Guided by his experienced pub manager, Sandy, Paul moved front of house and was promoted to shift manager by the age of 21.

Just before the COVID-19 lockdown restrictions, in 2020, Sandy moved to The Prior John (Bridlington), with plans for Paul to move there too.

However, he stayed at Scarborough to help to support the team, prior to the arrival of a new pub manager, before joining Sandy later at Bridlington.

Paul added: “It was a strange time, as we also had our first son, William, and I remember not being allowed in the hospital.”

The couple now has a second son, Freddie, born in November 2024.

Paul continued: “Skigh is a Scarborough girl and won’t leave the area, so I was waiting for a pub manager role to come up nearby.

“There are very few pubs within a commutable distance, so when The Benjamin Fawcett became available, I jumped at the chance to apply.”

He said: “When I set out, I couldn’t even imagine working front of house. Now, I’m a pub manager and proud of my achievement so far. Skigh is also proud and happy.”

Paul added: “Sandy has been a great influence on my career, a real positive force, with great experience. I have learned so much from her and continue to do so.”

Speaking about his brother, Paul said: “Darren has always worked in the kitchen and was a kitchen shift leader for quite some time, until the kitchen shift manager role was introduced last year.

“Like me, he has had to be patient to get the promotion, as there is not a lot of choice of pubs in the area. As a result, when someone becomes a manager (pub or kitchen), that person tends to stay in the role a while.

“Darren has a lot of experience, also helping out at other pubs with kitchen support, including last year at the Haven site  – The Five Stones (Filey).

“I was delighted when he joined the team at The Benjamin Fawcett.

“His experience has made things so much easier. I have so much confidence in him, and he is doing a fantastic job.

“Everything has worked out well.”

Sandy, pub manager at The Prior John, recently celebrated 25 years with the company, having started at the end of April 2000 at the same pub – as an associate.

She couldn’t be prouder of the Harrison brothers.

Sandy confirmed: “I am incredibly proud of them.

“As well as work colleagues, they are both good friends, and I’ve been to their family weddings and christenings. They are like my kids, who have grown up and flown the nest.

“For Paul, to go from pot-washer to pub manager is a remarkable achievement – and I often use him as an example for new recruits.

“The world is your oyster, if you have the ambition and hard work ethic, and I saw that ambition in them early on.

“They have both done so well – and their pub is also doing really well.”