Behind the Bar: Exploring the Hidden Careers That Keep Britain’s Pubs Thriving

When people enter their local pub, they often take it for granted, unaware of the effort that goes into running it or the challenges it presents to the manager and their staff. There are various roles that need to be filled to run a successful pub, in addition to the person serving your drinks. There are many people who work behind the scenes to ensure that your visit to the pub is a fantastic one and that you can enjoy the experience when you visit. Below, you can see some of the various roles that play a vital part in any pub behind the scenes that the average person does not usually consider.

The Cellarman

Looking after the alcoholic drinks in the pub is often the job of the cellarman and is a role that many people do not consider. They will fill all the fridges with the various bottles the pub sells and empty the empty ones into a bin. They will also look after the barrels of beer and ensure they are ready for use, which is vital when selling real cask ales. Another vital job they perform is cleaning the lines to ensure the drinks taste as good as possible, which can be a tedious task. Next time you go into a pub and enjoy a refreshing drink, spare a thought for the person looking after the cellar, who ensures you can get what you want.

The Cleaner

Another vital role in running a pub is the people who clean the establishment and ensure it is ready to welcome visitors, a job that deserves a lot of praise. If a pub is not properly cared for and cleaned regularly, it will not take long before it starts to become unappealing. Inebriated people can often make a mess in a pub, especially in the toilets. The cleaning staff of a pub work tirelessly to ensure it is clean and up to standard so that the customers can enjoy their visit in a clean and relaxed environment. Next time you are in a pub, help the cleaners out and try to ensure you do not leave a mess behind that they will have to clean.

Head Office

Most pubs are owned by companies rather than being privately owned, and their head offices play another vital role in running the pubs that many people do not consider. The head office is pivotal to keeping a pub running smoothly, as it takes care of various roles behind the scenes. They will ensure that stock orders are dispatched so the pub has food and drinks to sell and ensure that they have everything else they need, such as glasses, plates, and cutlery. They also assist with all HR matters, ensuring that staff are paid correctly, and compile the promotions that many pubs offer to customers. When it comes to running a pub, head office jobs are crucial for keeping things running smoothly and ensuring that customers are happy and well taken care of during their visit.

The Kitchen

A large proportion of pubs also sell food, and there are often numerous people working behind the scenes in the pub kitchen to ensure customers can enjoy a good meal when they visit. There are various roles in a pub kitchen, such as the chef, pot washers, porters, and other personnel who help prepare the food. They often work in small kitchens that lack ample space. They often work tirelessly to ensure that all meals leaving the kitchen meet the standard, so customers can enjoy their meals and their visit to the pub, hopefully tipping and returning another day.