Crown proves to be a good fit for king Simon

Simon is surrounded by friends and colleagues as he celebrated 25 years’ service with Wetherspoon.

Simon, who has been pub manager at The Crown since 2005, started his Wetherspoon career in 1998 as a shift manager at The Cross Keys.

Within a couple of months, he joined the team at The White House, when it newly opened in November 1998, before moving to The Regal six weeks after that pub also newly opened.

Simon recalled: “I’d been working for another pub company, yet was having a terrible time, when I saw the recruitment adverts for Wetherspoon offering better conditions.

“It was exciting times with the company – expansion was really cranking up and there were so many opportunities.

“The White House was a prestigious opening outside of London, and I enjoyed the challenge.”

Simon took on his first role as pub manager in January 2001 at the newly opened pub The Wheatsheaf Inn, where he stayed for a couple of years, before several further moves, prior to arriving at The Crown.

He admitted: “The fact that I have been at The Crown since 2005 speaks volumes. I have a great team here.

“We work hard and, at the same time, have a fantastic time.

“Seeing staff progress through the ranks, from part-time 16-year-olds to being ready for their own pubs, is a great reward.

“We look after them. It is such a great pub here, and they very rarely want to move on.”

Simon, who turned 50 at the end of March, continued: “The company looks after its staff well.

“The pay is fair, bonuses are fantastic, we listen to people regarding rotas and that all pays dividends in the end.

“The pub manager role has its challenges, as you have the ultimate responsibility for every single aspect of the business.

“I think I’m a fairly laid-back kind of guy and always say ‘you must take things on the chin and keep moving forward’.

“You could never say that the job is boring.

“Every day is a different day, and I wouldn’t still be here if I didn’t love what I do.”