It’s the pub that cheers

Dec 29 2008 by Andrew Baldwin, Huddersfield Daily Examiner

It’s the pub that cheers

As the number of pubs putting up the shutters continues to grow, ANDREW BALDWIN meets one landlady who took on a pub ... and sees a great future in the trade

‘I saw it as a business that was dying and which I could turn around with a bit of luck and sheer application’

SUE Greenwood knew it would be a tough job when she took over her Huddersfield pub almost a year ago.

The Lockwood had been boarded up for around eight months, just one of the many to have gone under in towns and cities across the country.

Not only that, but it had not had the best of reputations during the time when it was open.

A bit of a stigma is the way Sue describes it.

Twelve months on and she has turned round the fortunes of the pub in Woodhead Road, Lockwood.

“It’s been going very well. I can’t say I’m a millionaire yet, but I’ll be working on it in the next year,” she chuckles.

Sue, a 40-something-year-old, puts her success down to sheer hard work, a few bright ideas and a determination to succeed.

And some good beer.

“We always have four cask ales and two rotating cask ales. They’re vital. Cask ale is leading the trade,” says Sue.

Her pub is a rare example of success in a trade widely regarded as struggling to survive.

Not far away, the Blue Bell at Taylor Hill has recently shut – a fate which saddens Sue and has spurred her on even more.

It’s her first time running a pub after being a representative for many years in the pharmaceutical industry.

Realising the Lockwood’s potential, she leapt at the opportunity.

“I thought, ‘Why not?’ It was a new venture for me, but I had some firm ideas and thought I could make a good job of it.

“I saw it as a business that was dying and which I could turn around with a bit of luck and sheer application,” she says.

A complete refurbishment was the first step.

Sue says: “It looks very nice and I’m very happy with the appearance.

“The place did have a bit of a reputation, but now it’s got a nice, modern, wine bar feel about it and the customers are coming in.”

Good beer and good food are the way forward, she says.

Her two sons, Anthony and Nicholas, run the bar and she has recruited an experienced chef known to all and sundry simply as Stone.

“I got the best and he comes with a very good reputation,” says Sue. “He has his own flair and is looking to develop our range of meals.”

Sue is an ardent supporter of the community and has introduced a pool team which has proven to be a success and has singers at the pub on some nights.

“The reaction from the local community has been fantastic and we are gearing up now for New Year,” she says.

Just one thing hasn’t really worked – sport on Sky television.

“I’ve no idea why not. Dare I say it, but I’m a Lancashire girl and it’s definitely the thing over there. But not here,” says Sue.

A party was held at the Lockwood to mark one year since the its reopening and Sue made it an occasion to remember.

Her verdict on her first 12 months as a landlady?

“It has been hard work this year but we’re pleased to say it’s going well,” she says.