Proud of your staff: Huntsman Tavern, Colchester
After a tough 2005, staff at the Huntsmans Tavern in Colchester, Essex, have rallied round to make sure that this year is a different story - much to the delight of licensee Ros Sanders. And now the team is the latest to be nominated for Proud of Your Staff.
In February last year, Ros discovered that one member of staff was fiddling stock orders. Left with no option, she had to take action against her former employee and things hit rock bottom. The pub was strapped financially and lost custom. But the rest of her team of loyal staff saved the day.
"The staff member had badmouthed us a lot around the area. So the team here recommended the pub whenever they saw anyone and tried to turn things around. They worked extra hours and helped out with redecorating. Slowly things began to pick up. They didn't have to be cajoled into it, they volunteered."
She describes her assistant manager Catherine Stewart as "a great girl, supportive, loyal and totally committed to the business".
The kitchen team make allowances for customers who arrive five or 10 minutes after the kitchen has closed to make sure they get some food and the barstaff often give elderly customers a lift home.
"It's the little things they do, but the things that matter," says Ros, "I am so proud of my staff, words really cannot describe it."
- Are you Proud of your Staff? Call the hotline on 020 7955 3713 or email cebhqbschof@gurchoyvpna.pbz
