Next to answer our ten questions are Brogan and Mike, landlady & landlord of The Kings Arms, Eccleshall

What inspired you to run a pub?
We have both been in and out of pubs with our families for years and it’s also where we become best friends leading to us working and running pubs together in Penkridge and Coven. We found The Kings in Eccleshall and fell in love not just with the pub but the town as well where we now run it as a traditional pub as a couple

Why should people come to your pub?
Most pubs now are either a restaurant or a drinkers place – we are so lucky to be able to do both.
Providing drinks across the bar to all our locals and customers whilst also a great menu of locally sourced food doing breakfast, lunch and dinner with an occasional live music event thrown in. We are super dog friendly and family friendly with plenty of outside space, so we have something for everyone

What will we find behind the bar to delight our tastebuds?
Our dirty fries are our absolute staple with fully loaded burgers you’d need to dislocate your jaw to get round. With an array of beers and cask ales on the pumps to wet your whistle including our brand new bar with 1664 and Stonewall IPA

Do you have any regular or occasional events?
Live music happens at least once a month with a festival or BBQ thrown in.
We have a Christmas Market collaboration with Perrys of Eccleshall in November and a beer festival with the local rugby club

What are the best & worst parts of the job?
I think everyone will say it’s the customers which I will stand by as one of the best parts, however its more that they, combined with the staff, because it’s such a great family and we all work as one. Worst parts for me is definitely emptying out the barrels in the cellar and Mike would most likely say the endless kitchen paperwork

You have some time off – what do you do?
I am in the local ladies rugby team so do some events with them but mainly training and a few drinks in the local town whilst Mike takes part in the local darts and poker teams hosted at our venue alongside cricket training with the local team

Any funny moments you can share?
We have some very ancient stairs in the pub which has been a common place for slips and falls. Additionally, we have a pub ghost that likes to play pranks such as pulling the toilet rolls whilst you’re washing your hands, turning on taps, flickering lights and hiding items

What three words best describe your pub?
Time-worn, friendly, vivacious

How could CAMRA (local & national) help support you?
We only took over last February and are really trying hard to get our name out there for our beers and food – we support as many local suppliers as possible for our menu and cask ales so just want people to know that we support the community so please pop down and support us

Tell us you best (or worst) pub joke
A man walks into a pub with a bit of tarmac under his arm. He says “Pint please – and one for the road”

Many thanks to Brogan & Mike for taking the 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