Sky’s the limit for Friar’s high-flyer

Pub manager Jess joined Wetherspoon a decade ago, as a 16-year-old college student.

She worked part time, on Friday and Saturday, as an under-18 floor associate at The Ferry Boat (Runcorn), while studying a level 3 health and social care course, as well as a hairdressing apprenticeship role at a local salon.

Fast forward (quite literally) 10 years – and Jess, still only 26, has been the pub manager at The Friar Penketh, her first pub as manager, since July 2022.

Jess is a clearly focused and driven individual who knew, at the age of 18, what she wanted to do.

Jess confirmed: “Once I became a shift leader, at the age of 18, my goal was to be a manager and have my own pub.”

She continued: “From the very beginning, I enjoyed being on the floor, speaking to regular customers. I really loved the people aspect of the pub environment.

“In the hairdressing salon, I got to speak to people, but it was totally different from the jokes, laughs and banter of the pub.”

Jess admitted: “When I turned 18 and started on the bar, I didn’t like it at first. However, once I got into it and learned what I was doing, I loved it.”

On her 20th birthday, Jess was promoted to shift manager level – a very quick progression.

She said: “Once I’ve done something, I want to do the next thing, and this was true of the shift management levels. I really enjoyed the courses and wanted to do the next one every time.”

That progression as a shift manager included a year at The Glass House and a two-year stint at The Watch Maker.

Jess said: “I was happy at Prescot and gained some great experience, with my pub manager allowing me, effectively, to take on all the pub manager’s responsibilities, for hands-on learning. That was invaluable to me.

“I missed out when I applied to be pub manager at The Nine Arches, yet the interview process was another great experience. Then, within a week, The Friar Penketh came up and, this time, I was successful.

“I was well prepared and had already been given the chance to show what I could do. Taking full responsibility, the jump was a big one, but my area manager Mike (the same since I started work) helped me all the way.

“He has been a reassuring and guiding hand, calming me if I panic, and always telling me ‘you can do this’.”

Jess has assembled a great new management team, which includes shift manager Hannah, who has worked at the pub for 10 years, having started at The Looking Glass 11 years ago.

Jess confirmed: “Hannah and I hit it off straight away. Having her here has made things a little bit easier. She has been here a long time and has seen it all.”

Jess, who also works one day a week in the kitchen, concluded: “I would much rather be in the pub than the office and like to lead from the front.

“My goal is to be the best in this pub. There’s still a lot to achieve here, so I don’t plan on going anywhere until that is done.

“Only then could I think about a bigger and busier pub, to develop and progress, for my next challenge.”