Years fly by for Kat and Lara

Pub manager Kat and shift manager Lara have almost clocked up a combined 23 years’ service at An Ruadh-Ghleann.

Kat joined the team at the newly opened An Ruadh-Ghleann in December 2012 as a shift leader, having previously worked at The Sir John Moore, initially as a part-time bar associate for some extra money at Christmas time.

Kat took over as pub manager at the Rutherglen pub, her first as pub manager, a decade ago.

Kat recalls: “I would have been celebrating 20 years’ continuous service with Wetherspoon, but I left The Sir John Moore after five years to work for a season in a Scottish bar in Ibiza.

“I came back to Scotland and returned to the pub to earn some money, before I was going to return to Ibiza, but stayed on in Glasgow.”

Originally from Cumbernauld, Kat continued: “I never had it in my sights to be a pub manager, but, when the previous manager left, I didn’t want anyone else taking over, so thought I would give it a go myself.

“I saw the opportunity and here I am.”

Kat added: “An Ruadh-Ghleann is a lovely community pub, and I probably know 90 per cent of the regular customers.

“We are also not far from Hampden Park, so it’s a busy time when there are concerts or football, so there is always plenty going on.”

Lara started as a bar associate at An Ruadh-Ghleann in October 2014, working her way up to shift manager.

Lara recalled: “Kat took over as pub manager just before I started working at the pub, so she has always been my pub manager.

“We get on very well and have a brilliant working relationship.

“I love my job. It has given me a lot of confidence.

“I have met so many different people and made so many long-term friendships.”

Lara, who lives in Rutherglen and is mum to a 16-year-old daughter, said: “I was a full-time mum when I took on the job – and it was great to be able to fit in the work around school hours.

“When I started to become promoted, having to work longer hours, my partner helped a lot, so I have been able to have a 10-year career which I love, with a great company.”