MA award winner crosses trade divide

Award-winning pub manager Adrian Clay has crossed the trade divide to become his own boss as tenant of the Raikes Hall, Blackpool.

Clay and his wife Jeanette (pictured), who ran the town's Litten Tree pub for five years, took over as licensees at the Trust Inns' - owned pub earlier this month.

The pub is a former Mitchells & Butlers managed house purchased by Trust Inns 12 months ago.

Clay has already began to work his retail magic increasing weekly turnover more than fourfold when he hit £17,000 mark last week. The business is heavily wet led with food currently accounting for only 10% of turnover which Clay is eager to turn round.

"It was one of Blackpool's best pubs in its heyday and we aim to return the place to its former glory. ​

"There is bags of potential here and we have plans to develop the business in a number of different ways which includes a better food service, capitalising on the pub's bowling green and developing use of the function room," Clay said.

The grade two listed building dates from 1750 and holds a prominent position near the town's seafront and was the home of Blackpool Football Club after it was founded in the last century.

Clay is a former winner of the Morning Advertiser Best Managed Pub award.