Triumph for Staffordshire publican
Chris Lewis is one happy publican. A week after he was named BII Licensee of the Year at The Publican Awards 2008, he is back in his pub - the Swan in Stafford - surrounded by cards and presents from proud customers.
"People have been dropping by with cards and bottles," he says. "It's particularly nice to get that from the older customers, some of whom have known me for 10 or 15 years. I've been in the trade 20 years this year and the award is a lovely way to mark it."
And it's not just the regulars who are impressed - since picking up his award, sponsored by the UK's leading drinks wholesaler Matthew Clark, Chris has been interviewed on local radio and in the local papers, and even mentioned on TV.
His newfound celebrity status is well-deserved. Since acquiring the freehold of the Swan 2002, he has driven up weekly takings from £5,000 to an average of £45,000 following a £2.4m investment. Chris's "smart licensed retail complex" now boasts an 80-seat brasserie, two bars, 32 letting rooms and a 'coffee shop'.
And his second business, the Bear in Stafford, has seen its turnover more than double since he took the reins.
His business nous and knowledge of the trade are clearly top class. But it is his dedication to training that he believes really sets him apart from the crowd.
"When I met the others in the group I thought 'Am I really in with a chance?'," he says. "I thought that they were really strong and had everything it takes. But I think it is my commitment to training that makes me stand out. I would have hoped that was the clinching factor."
This passion for staff development is easy to see from the way Chris runs his businesses. All frontline bar staff take BIIAB's Award in Responsible Alcohol Retailing and eight employees have been put through the BIIAB Professional Business Portfolio to gain their Diploma in Licensed Retailing.
Chris also works hard to keep his own skills up-to-date by attending BII events and working with other licensees in the area. And his close ties with Stafford College, offer of placements to hospitality students and chairmanship of Stafford PubWatch demonstrate his commitment to the long-term health of the trade.
Clearly, Chris is not one to rest on his laurels and he says his awards success will do nothing to change this. He says the best thing the prize will do for his business is drive him to work harder and achieve more - particularly important given the current economic climate.
"I think it's going to be a difficult year but I stay positive," he says. "You've just got to work that bit harder and make sure you are satisfying customers' demands.
"I want to live up to getting the title. Winning will definitely give me extra drive to make sure we are doing what it says on the can."
