Ann Mary gets Kings Arms back on its feet

The team at the Kings Arms at Litton, in Somerset, is the latest to be picked out for The Publican's Proud of Your Staff initiative.

When Ann Mary Nicholls took over as lessee at the Greene King outlet 16 months ago, it was not just on its knees, but "prostrate", according to one of the locals who had abandoned it.

But Ann Mary relishes a challenge and soon got the pub get back on its feet.

"The young team I inherited had to get used to my standards, my demands and to cope with the long slow haul back to business," she says.

"They had to learn fast, change their attitude to work and focus on product knowledge and customer service."

Ann Mary also employed "real" chefs and began sourcing localproducts.

She then taught her staff the secrets of selling, waiting tables and anticipating the customers' needs.

"I told the team they could and would earn at least £1,000 a month in tips if they got it right," Ann Mary explains.

"They laughed, then almost a year after we started they had their first £1,000 a-month tip. Boy did it motivate them!"

The 20-strong team are now hungry for more training and more coaching, says Ann Mary, who has overseen a doubling in the pub's turnover.

"More to the point they are a real team - a recent addition said he had never worked anywhere where everyone wanted to be there," she adds.

"I am very proud of the effort and commitment they have shown to this business. Well done to all of them."