Running a pub: Personal experience of starting out

Cavanagh was shocked at the state of the business. He says: “All the character had gone, the food trade had dropped right off, and the regulars had scattered.”

Cavanagh, however, remembered how successful the pub had been in its heyday and a strong vision of what he wanted to achieve, coupled with the reassurance and backing of business development manager Tom Richardson, gave him the confidence he needed to set about reviving the pub with Richardson’s assistance.

He recruited Paul Teasdale as manager, attended Star Pubs & Bars’ Innside Knowledge induction training and signed up to the Innside Track stocktaking and accountancy package.
Cavanagh and his wife, Kara, spruced up the restaurant, sourced new kitchen equipment and repositioned the menu.

They tidied the pub’s exterior and introduced a 13-week training programme for all new staff to complete before they were confirmed in their positions, to ensure they offered outstanding customer service.

The Hamilton Russell Arms has now won back most of its former customers.