By Nicola Walker
As well as writing for the DRAM I also moonlight as a DJ, and this year as The Garage Nightclub celebrates 30 years, I will have worked with them for 27! I now consider myself part of the woodwork and have remained there because I love the club and all the wonderful people that I have worked with over the years. Holdfast and Donald Macleod have always looked after me, and I them. It is true that people often talk about the high turnover of staff in the hospitality industry, but some individuals have become lifelong devotees to the jobs or companies that have looked after them. This month I set out to speak to ten of these people to find out about their love for the hospitality industry, what makes their company great, and why they’ve stuck it out for so long!
John Mustard – 31 Years, Financial Controller & Executive Assistant, Caledonia Inns
John has worked with Billy Lowe, who now owns Black Ivy in Edinburgh, since 1993 but his first job after graduating was working for the Holiday Inn. After coming to Scotland and finding a role with Billy Lowe, arguably one of Scotland’s most successful hospitality operators, he has never looked back.
Says John, ““I would find it hard to work for a big corporate business. My parents had their own business, so I was used to working in businesses that rely on you doing stuff directly for things to work. Billy is always there and pushing people to be their best. He knows how to say thank you and he knows how to get everyone to work better together as a team. There are members of Billy’s family working for us and it’s been great to see them mature over the years into the people they are now.” He continues, “Finance is a big part of my job but there are very few good descriptions for me, I just do what needs to get done today. Every day is different, and I love the buzz you get when you achieve something you thought couldn’t be done.”
When asked about his future plans, John laughs, “My plan now is to retire! I’ve enjoyed what I’ve done and who I’ve done it with. Maybe I’ll do six and a half rather than seven days a week! But seriously, as long as you can keep making things better, you want to be involved. I’ve been lucky to work with so many inspirational people and being part of iconic events and experiences have made it all worthwhile.”
Senga Love – 21 Years, Procurement/PA, Hold Fast Entertainment Ltd
Senga has worked in the licensed trade for 30 years, starting out working at Cafe Cini and then moving on to managing a hotel in East Kilbride.
She says, “That was during my party years, and we partied hard! However, I decided I wanted to work behind the scenes, and this brought me to Hold Fast Entertainment Ltd which is owned by Donald Macleod. That was 21 years ago now!”
“I started as PA to Tom Cullen and I took over the role as buyer for the company when Tom left. Then when Donald’s PA moved on, I sort of fell into the role of looking after Donald as well.
“I love working in the trade and seeing its highs, but not so much its low’s. I also love meeting new people and building relationships, which in this business goes a long way. Hold Fast is like one big family and they are always there for you during both good and bad times. The pandemic put a lot into perspective, it’s a great company to work for which has made it easy to stay as long as I have. I honestly can’t imagine myself working anywhere else, so I hope Hold Fast continues to thrive and Donald puts up with me for many more years…or I put up with him!”
Manon Metayer – 10 Years Creative Marketing Manager, Signature Pubs Ltd
Manon has been with Signature Pubs for 10 years starting off as front of house staff in The Huxley and after a short hiatus in Paris working with a PR agency she decided to move back to Edinburgh and join Kyloe. From here she became social media & sales co-ordinator for the Rutland Hotel venues before moving into a marketing role at Signatures head office.
She says, “It’s been a pretty diverse journey, starting from marketing exec and a support role in digital, to taking on photography across the board, dabbling with video, staging crazy marketing stunts, opening new venues and learning graphic design from scratch.” “I love the creative aspect of the job and the variety of venues and people I get to work with. Signature has a family-like, non-corporate nature and we have 23 venues, none of which are the same.
“This individuality is part of the company’s DNA and is what makes it so unique. We get to work closely with each venue and the people who make them what they are. It certainly gets hectic and busy, but never boring! When it comes to the marketing, the motto with ideas is; the crazier the better! I like to wait and see where the creative madness takes me, and this job has taken me places I never thought I’d go.”
Ross Macfarlane – 15 Years General Manager, The Maltings, Greene King
Ross began his hospitality career as a bartender for Beefeater aged only 18.
He tells DRAM, “One Saturday night I got flung in at the deep end and was put on a section to look after my own tables – I just loved the buzz of it.”
After getting the bug for hospitality he worked his way up to a management position and then joined Greene King in 2008 where he has stayed for the past 15 years. After stints in Stirling and Aberdeen he settled into his current position in 2014 as General Manager of The Maltings in Perth.
He says, “I love everything about my job. I know this sounds cheesy, but I love driving the business forward and enhancing the guest experience through service. “Greene King are one of the best companies I’ve worked for in terms of vison and culture. They put both the team and the guest at the forefront of everything they do and are really focused on the development of their staff.”
As for his future plans, Ross says, “I am happy in my current role but would like to continue to develop skills perhaps for a field-based role with Greene King at some point in the future.”
Pamela Watson – 48 Years, Catering Manager, Park Leisure, Dundee
Pamela is set to retire this year but not before putting an incredible 48 years into working in the licensed trade.
She started her hospitality journey when she was just 18 at the Invercarse Hotel and then joined McGonagall’s as a barmaid. Then she went to work for Jimmy Marr at Park Leisure and she has been there ever since.
During the time she has worked with him she has leased public houses from Jimmy, and has opened a few of them with him too.
Says Pamela, “I love the variation of the job, the fast pace and meeting so many different people from all walks of life. I have a great working relationship and a great friendship with Jimmy. It’s a very family orientated business and Jimmy has always been hands on with the staff and I’ve always found him incredibly supportive.
“My plan is now to enjoy my retirement with family and grandchildren, but I will still be in touch with Jimmy and his wife Karen as we have become such great friends over the years!”
Part Two coming soon!