Meet the Publican: Ade Fowles, Red Lion
Next up for our ten questions is Ade Fowles, Landlord of The Red Lion in Great Chatwell
What inspired you to run a pub?
It’s an itch you need to scratch so alongside my wife we have been involved in the licenced trade for around the last 20 years
Why should people come to your pub?
We don’t sell the usual products you would expect to see and with 7 hand pulls and 12 keg lines we feel there is something for everybody
What will we find behind the bar to delight our tastebuds?
As well as a great selection of local (to us) and national real ales and keg products we have a variety of spirits including HAMA Rum which is a brand owned by 1 of our neighbours
Do you have any regular or occasional events?
We have just held a charity beer festival to raise some money towards a public access defibrillator for the village and every few months we have a local singer or band
What are the best & worst parts of the job?
Best – the social aspect especially being in a village
Worst – staff and recruitment / ever increasing bills
You have some time off – what do you do?
lol, lol, lol
Any funny moments you can share?
We had a bouncy castle for an event. The first person down it was the chef and he lost his trousers!
What three words best describe your pub?
Welcoming / Traditional / Community
How could CAMRA (local & national) help support you?
A larger campaign against the current VAT situation / Utility costs / Beer Duty / Proposed Outdoor Smoking Ban
Tell us you best (or worst) pub joke
I told my boss that three companies were after me and I need a raise…
My boss asked “what companies? The Gas, water and electricity company!
Many thanks to Ade for taking time to answer our questions
If you run a pub in the Heart of Staffordshire area and would like to take part in a future ‘Meet the Publican’ feature, please get in touch