Johnny "The Ferret" Ferrand has some characteristically controversial views on how to run the bar of his Berkshire pub.
"I reckon you need a few pretty girls behind the bar, but they've got to be efficient," says the Old Harrovian, who inspired the Fruity and The Ferret pub guide. "My adage is that how staff look sells the first drink and after that, it's the service."
Ferrand, who bought the Pheasant Inn at Shefford Woodlands three years ago, is described in the book as "standing like the leaning tower of Pisa for 12 hours a day".
"I think that refers to the fact that I probably drink too much," laughs Ferrand.
"I don't get behind the bar very often. A lot of people go to their local on their own and they want to see the landlord.
"They want to be welcomed and they want to have a quick conversation. If you want to welcome those people, it's difficult if you're trying to serve somebody a drink at the far end. It's easier to drink with them."
Situated close to Lambourne race course, the Pheasant Inn is popular with the racing fraternity, as well as people attracted by the pub's excellent food and Ferrand's old-school sense of humour. A blackboard in the corner of the bar lists "Landlord's Thought Of The Day", which once read "Anything for a quiet wife".
A pupil at Harrow between 1963 and 1968, Ferrand went straight into the property business in London, but had an unexpected career change in 1982, when he joined a fish company, which he ran for 18 years.
The fish business is now run by fishmonger Tim Alsop in Looe, Cornwall, but Ferrand still has a share in it and this explains why the menu at the Pheasant Inn lists so many fresh fish specials.
The Old Harrovian says he's surprised at how many pubs are run by ex-public schoolboys.
"I loved it at Harrow and I'm proud to be a Harrovian, but I think it's funny that people still go on about it, even at our age. The rivalry still goes on in later life, but it's only jesting.
"A lot of my friends from Harrow know where I am now they're mostly stockbrokers, bankers etc.
"My father was a chairman of a public company and I never knew what his ambition for me was, but I'm sure he'd go with the flow knowing that I was running a pub now.
"My father never used to go to pubs I remember I managed to get him to the local once and he had a dry sherry.
"I'm sure that if my father wanted to, he could have got me a job in the City. A lot of people thought that going to public school was a privilege that got you further in life. I'm not sure that happens anymore people now get in on their own merit."
The Pheasant Inn had been Ferrand's local and when the previous owner decided to sell up, he snapped it up.
"It's great fun running a pub you meet a lot of people who you wouldn't otherwise meet. We try to run a warm, friendly place and we hopefully cater for everybody.
"I'm aiming at the 30-plusses with more disposable income, which will hopefully end up in my pocket."