Rosie rises to top job at pub where career began

Pub manager Rosie took on her first pub as manager in June 2025, having started as an under-18 floor associate at the same pub.

A sixth-form student studying for her A levels, Rosie joined the team at The Tilley Stone (Gateshead) in September 2013, before going on to the University of Sunderland to study teaching, while continuing her part-time role at the pub.

Rosie recalled: “I decided early on that the uni course wasn’t for me and left after just one term.

“I had already progressed to team leader at the pub.

“So, when I left university, I joined the company full time, with the mindset of progressing further at the pub.”

Rosie spent six years at The Tilley Stone, reaching shift-manager level, before moving in 2020 for a one-year spell at The Five Swans (Newcastle), followed by a further three and a half years at The Mile Castle (Newcastle).

She said: “I was deputy manager at The Mile Castle, with a lot of responsibility, which helped me to step up with a smoother transition to the pub-manager role.”

Rosie made that transition when she returned to The Tilley Stone, taking over from pub manager Martyn as he moved to The Ritz (Wallsend) after 12 years at Gateshead.

Rosie continued: “Working at The Mile Castle was a different challenge, set on three floors, with two beer gardens and a hotel, so coming back to The Tilley Stone has been lovely.

“It is a very community-based pub, with many of the regular customers still here.

“The pub is very much the same as it was five years ago, and many of the team members are familiar too.

“Team leader Vicky has been here since the pub first opened in 2011.”

Rosie, 28, who is also a mum to her five-year-old son, added: “I really enjoy what I’m doing. I love the people, the flexibility of the job and the support which is there whenever it’s needed.

“So many people have influenced my career and helped me to progress this far.

“Everyone is really supportive and very encouraging. “I have a good relationship with colleagues, and everyone has completely believed in me.”