Ye Olde Black Cross
Bromsgrove · 2019 to 2023
Experience and evidence
Different models.Same fundamentals.
More than 200 venues supported across the structures, pressures and politics of UK hospitality.
Operating models
I understand who controls what.
Advice only works when it respects the agreement, incentives and practical freedom of the operator. My experience spans the main models found across the trade.
Tied tenanciesPartnership agreementsFree-of-tie groupsIndependent operatorsManaged housesMulti-site operations
Flagship turnaround
The Pillar of Salt
From February 2023 to February 2026, a struggling pub became a recognised, high-performing community venue.
£2k → £12kweekly sales
1 → 5food hygiene rating
4.0 → 4.4Google rating
1 → 10team growth
Marston’s portfolio
Different pubs. Broader experience.
A selection of the pubs I operated during my time with Marston’s. The years below reflect the venue experience listed on my LinkedIn profile.
The Bakery Inn
Malvern Link · 2019 to 2020
The Angel Inn
Stourport-on-Severn · 2019
The Golden Lion
Bromsgrove · 2022 to 2023
The Oak Apple
Worcester · 2023
The Pillar of Salt
Droitwich · 2023 to 2026
The Wolferstan Arms
Shuttington · 2024
Red Lion
Great Malvern · 2024
Applying the experience
The model changes the solution.
I work from the actual responsibilities and commercial boundaries of the business, not the assumption that every operator can change everything.
Tied and partnership models
Recommendations need to account for purchasing arrangements, the agreement, the available support and the decisions retained by the pub company. I focus on achievable improvements and a clear case for changes that require approval.
Free-of-tie groups and independents
Greater freedom brings more decisions. Range, sourcing, pricing, brand, systems and the local proposition need to work together without creating unnecessary complexity for the team.
Managed and multi-site operations
Consistency matters, but so does local judgement. I look at the balance between central standards, useful field support, management accountability and the freedom to respond to guests.
Licensed premises responsibility
Having served as DPS at more than 12 sites, I understand the importance of clear responsibilities, practical team briefings and an operation that takes its premises conditions seriously.
JM Pubs today
Different venues. Real decisions.
Ye Olde Red Horse, Evesham
A community pub with food, live entertainment and five letting rooms. The work spans the bar and kitchen as well as room pricing, booking channels, housekeeping and guest communication.
It is a useful reminder that a guest experiences one business, even when the operator is managing several income streams behind the scenes.
The Crown Inn, Peopleton
A village pub where local relationships, events and the garden are central to the offer. Food vans, quizzes and Sunday roasts illustrate how a pub can build reasons to visit around its setting and community.
Running both venues keeps capacity, delegation and clear operational priorities at the centre of my thinking.
Career and experience
Built on the job.
From bar and café management to venue launches, multi-site pub operation and independent consultancy. Several roles ran alongside one another.
Business Owner · JM Pubs
Self-employed · West Midlands
Owner of JM Pubs, operating Ye Olde Red Horse in Evesham and The Crown Inn in Peopleton. The current portfolio combines community pub trade, food, events and letting rooms.
Business Consulting · Josh The Pub Guy
Self-employed · Worcestershire · Remote
Independent hospitality consultancy, drawing on hands-on pub operation and multi-site support. My services cover operational improvement, turnaround, coaching, websites and online presence.
Operator · Marston’s PLC
Self-employed · Worcestershire · On-site
Multi-site pub operation across a range of community venues. This period included The Pillar of Salt turnaround and experience adapting the offer, team and operating routines to different pubs.
Area Support Coach · Marston’s PLC
Self-employed · West Midlands
Worked alongside pub landlords, retail partners and self-employed managers to develop their businesses within the Marston’s operating format. Worked closely with operations and training teams to deliver site-level objectives, develop teams and improve guest experience.
Operations Support · Kumu Bromsgrove
Bromsgrove
Supported the owner with the venue launch, including sourcing stock, staffing, health and safety, fire safety, training and development.
Front Of House Manager · Barnt Green Café Morso Limited
Midlands
Front-of-house management experience in a café setting.
General Manager · The Grove Bar
Bromsgrove
General management experience in a bar setting, building the operational foundation for later multi-site pub work.
Your problem may be familiar.
Sales decline, margin pressure, standards, people, reputation or a business model that no longer fits. Let’s establish what is actually happening.