Budding landlords up and down the UK will be given the chance to discover what it takes to be part of the pub trade as Admiral Taverns hits the road for a series of open days throughout January and February.

The Admiral team will be visiting Maidstone, Bolton, London, Cardiff and Telford over the next couple of months.

Business Development Managers will be on hand to provide information about what support is available to both industry newcomers and people who already have pub experience.

For more information, visit the Events section of our website or contact Admiral Taverns’ recruitment team on 0845 070 8950.

New landlord Martin Evans of the Hand & Dagger in Kirkham and his business partner Steve Morgan have been awarded an Admiral Taverns Achievement Award for giving their pub a new lease of life.

Martin and Steve, who have been at the pub for the last three months, have 38 years’ experience in the hotel and catering industry between them, and they’ve used this expertise to provide customers at the pub with quality food and a warm welcome.

Martin said: “We’ve tried to create an attractive food offering that will bring in customers from far and wide, but we also want to look after the local community, so we’ve kept the pool table and dart board and hold weekly quiz nights.”

We’re always on the look out for people like Martin and Steve who have the personality and drive to run a successful pub - to find out more, view our pubs to let or contact our recruitment team.

A trio of Admiral landlords are looking to pass their much loved local on to a budding publican.

Stewart Ellams and Jamie and Jackie Williams have been running The Horseshoe Inn, Llanymynech, Powys on a temporary basis alongside their Achievement Award-winning pub, The White Horse in Churton, for several months (you can read about their award win in a previous blog).

Stewart says: “The Horseshoe Inn really is a great pub, and we’ll be sorry to leave. Unfortunately, we no longer feel we can continue to run both of our pubs simultaneously, and would like to pass the reigns at the Horseshoe to someone else with a real passion for pubs.”

The Horseshoe Inn is well positioned between Welshpool and Oswestry, in a roadside location right on the tourist route. The pub has a beer garden and children’s play area, and letting rooms that could be developed further.

If you’re interested in the pub, contact Admiral Taverns’ recruitment team. 

This year’s pool & darts championship has proved to be another huge success, with hundreds of teams from across the estate competing for the coveted titles. 

After a hard fought contest the Dunkirk Tavern in Derby was crowned champions of the pool competition and the Wyvern in Sheffield secured the darts title.

Both winning teams received £1,000 in prize money and a special trophy.

Paul Holmes, marketing communications manager for Admiral Taverns, said: “As always the pool & darts final was a fantastic event.  We had another great turnout and the standard of play was excellent.

“We’d encourage any pubs that have a pool or darts team to make sure they enter the competition and any who don’t should start one. It’s a great way to boost business.” Look out for the entry forms in the November edition of Agenda magazine. 

Two landlords at the Wynnstay Inn in Llansilin have helped a local charity raise funds in a rather unusual way - with a sponsored tractor convoy. 

Simon Newman, who runs the pub with his partner Jon, has been collecting sponsorship for the convoy, which comprised of six vintage tractors and several motorbikes.  The money will go to the Severn Hospice in memory of local man Steve Price-Jones.

Simon said: “This charity ride has taken place before, but since last year’s trip, Steve,a popular member of the local community and one of the original group of fundraisers, has sadly passed away from cancer, so the event had extra poignancy this time around. 

“It’s really important to me and Jon to support the local community. We’ve got sponsorship forms and donation buckets making the rounds in the pub most days, and have already managed to raise a lot for this worthy cause thanks to the generosity of our customers.”

Simon and Jon also provided the convoy with a hearty meal at the pub before their journey began, and a champagne reception to celebrate their return.

Two first-time landlords from the estate have been recognised for their outstanding work by receiving Admiral Taverns Achievement Awards.

Egil Johansen from the Kenton in Hackney and Tim Hartas from the Quarry Gap in Bradford have received their awards for turning around the fortunes of their pubs since taking them on.

Egil,who was also named Best Newcomer of the London region in the Morning Advertiser’s Great British Pub Awards 2010, received his accolades for his innovative approach to the pub.  He’s created a varied calendar of events including movie nights, pub quizzes, jumble sales and club nights, and the back room of the pub is given over to exhibits from upcoming artists. 

Egil said: “I like to put on a wide variety of different events to ensure there’s something for everyone and that our customers always have a great time when they visit the pub. 

“The pub has gone from strength to strength, and people seem to love the quirky décor and friendly atmosphere. I’ve also recently extended our beer garden, which has been really popular over the summer months.

“I’m very proud of the positive changes I’ve managed to make to the pub and am obviously delighted to have received these awards in recognition of my hard work.”

Tim, who runs the Quarry Gap with his wife and daughter, was originally a builder by trade but saw the pub as an opportunity for a new venture for the family.

He said: “We’ve had lots of positive feedback from our customers since we arrived and the Quarry Gap is now one of the busiest pubs in the area. 

“We’re very proud of the positive changes we’ve made to the pub and are delighted to have received this award."

If you think you've got what it tales to make a great landlord, visit our pubs to let section to find pubs available in your area.