Enterprise publican raises a glass after racking up 35 years at his pub
Mike Armitage, who is 76, has been at the Lion Brewery in Ash since August 1980 and threw a party last weekend.
Armitage said the pub had been a success for so long because of his close relationship with his customers.
“We try to accommodate as many people as we can at the pub, and listen to what our customers want. About 20 clubs use our function rooms-everything from a pigeon club to fishing club. I’ve recently started the Lion Brewery Historical Society, and the membership is already at 28.”
Over the last 35 years, the pub has raised £250,000 for cancer charities by running events. The pub’s Ash Music Festival alone raised almost £6,000.
Enterprise regional manager Nick Bolsover said: “Mike lives and breathes The Lion, and has an infectious passion for life and the industry, so it’s no wonder he’s still running the place so successfully. He never stops putting 110% in.
“From all of us at Enterprise, we’d like to say a huge congratulations to the pair for reaching such a significant landmark, and wish them many more happy years in the pub.”
The Lion Brewery has previously been highly commended in the Great British Pub Awards.
