Watch out Preston, Kaspers has arrived

Pub manager Kaspers knows a thing or two about successful pubwatch initiatives.

He has been with Wetherspoon for almost 19 years and has worked at 18 pubs during that time, although spent 13 years as a kitchen manager.

Kaspers took over at The Twelve Tellers in May 2024, moving from The Welkin, and joined the local pubwatch scheme at the start of 2025.

Kaspers is currently vice president of Preston pubwatch.

He said: “Once I was settled at the pub, I could start to get involved in other things.

“I was involved in a very successful pubwatch group when I was pub manager at The Sir Henry Tate, and the Preston group knew about that.

“At Chorley, I nominated a door staff‑ member to be chairman, and the scheme went from six attending to 80, becoming the best in Lancashire and working well with the whole community.

“We aim to do the same in Preston.”

The Preston pubwatch began with eight members and currently attracts 30, including hotels, retail shops and coffee shops.

Kaspers explained: “It is not just about pubs – pubwatch is for the safety and security of everyone, although I believe that licensees are best placed to run the schemes.

“Our aim is to have 120 venues involved by the end of 2025.

“It certainly has the potential to be successful, although it is just baby steps at the moment.

“As long as you have the belief and passion, promote things well and find out what is needed, in terms of safety, support and community, then things work much better when people join together.”