Ahead of International Women’s Day on Wednesday, 8 March, DRAM celebrates just a few of Scotland’s inspirational female general managers who are making their mark on the licensed trade.
Today, we speak to Rozlynn Gavin, who recently took on the role of General Manager of The Applebank Inn in Larkhall. She chats about taking on a new challenge, social media and future plans for the popular Larkhall local.
Name: Rozlynn Gavin
Role: General Manager, The Applebank Inn
Location: Larkhall
Age: 30
Rozlynn has just recently taken over as General Manager of The Applebank Inn in Larkhall, where she has been working for the past 18 months.
Rozlynn is local to Larkhall and started out doing PR for The Hamilton Palace nightclub at 19 before trying out a career as a beauty therapist.
But Rozyln feels she’s found her true calling and is throwing herself into running The Applebank, which was recently acquired by Manorview’s leasehold division, Manorview Pub Partnerships.
She says, “I’ve been coming to The Applebank my whole life. It’s very close to me, I love it and know all the regulars! When I came here in November 2015 I was meant to be doing marketing and PR.
“I did a few shifts to help out and then went to full-time, supervisor, assistant manager and now General Manager. It’s really exciting!”
It’s also a bit of a family affair as Rozlynn’s parents are also cleaners at the pub and put on regular music and quiz nights.
A friendly and bubbly character, Rozlynn manages 11 staff and has big plans for making sure The Applebank stays a true community hub in Larkhall and is proud of her efforts to drive the pub’s social media accounts.
She says, “I like to have one or two Facebook or Instagram posts up a day and make it personal, as I like people to know we’re real! I think social is such an amazing marketing tool – I’m proud of driving that. I don’t even think we even had a Facebook page when I started.”
When I’m not in The Applebank: I’ve two wee boys so it’s lots of family time.
Proudest moment: Becoming manager! Sometimes I look around the pub and still can’t quite believe it.
Star Sign: Aquarius
Click below to meet more inspirational general managers in the Scottish on-trade
Therese Grethe, Waxy O’Connors, Glasgow
Helen Taylor, The Anchor, Broughty Ferry
Geraldine Murphy, The Pot Still, Glasgow
Babs Steele, The Allison Arms, Glasgow
Gayle Copland, The Wine Press, Dundee
Nicola Haslam, The Seven Kings, Dunfermline
Sandy Gourlay, Oran Mor, Glasgow
Lynda McGaw, The Parkville Hotel, Blantyre