00:00So we're here at the Joiner's Arms in Market Drayton and you're the boss?
00:11Yes. Hello sir, Neil isn't it? Yes sir. Neil, it's a bit of a family history isn't it, this pub with you?
00:17I mean if we look at the old picture here we've got, who's this we've got here? That's my mum and
00:21my dad. So that's Sid and Celia. So they used to have this pub? They did. When was that then? 63,
00:281963. They won the Little Woods Pools £1,200 and they bought this lease of the pub. No way,
00:37interesting. So when were you born? I was born in 58 so I was five years old. So you've got memories
00:46of it and being a kid here and yeah yeah. So what are some of your memories then? Were you kind of
00:52in amongst the regulars and you know getting a free bag of crisps? That's it, I grew up here.
00:59as I say right through till I was about 21. Yeah yeah. And when did it come back into family
01:05hands then? Until your age? I bought it back in 10 years ago, coming this July. So did you always
01:13think if that pub ever becomes available I'd like it or was it a spur at the moment thing or what?
01:17I told my dad years ago I'd love to have this pub when I'm retired at 70. Yeah yeah. As it happens,
01:23I bought it when I was like 57. Yeah yeah. And what was it like when you bought it then? I mean,
01:30because I guess I should start by saying it's very deceiving from the outside isn't it? You kind of got,
01:35it looks a bit oldy-worldy but you come inside and it looks great in here. I take it that's all
01:42your work. It's just all my design and my work, yeah. So you've transformed it then I guess from
01:47when you first had it. When we first had it it was all like church seating, all like the old church
01:53news things all the way around it and it was old-fashioned, very old carpets. Stick to your
02:01floor if you know what I mean. Yeah yeah yeah. Well I do quite like old pubs and quite often when
02:08they have a modern makeover it kind of takes the character away but actually this is full of
02:13character. The screens, you've got plenty of screens, it's great for the sports, inset into the wall so
02:19really nicely done. It's got its own charm to it hasn't it? It has, yes. Must be very proud. I am
02:25very proud, yeah. I've done it around five times now, we've done a remake over. Yeah yeah. Five times so
02:32this is the latest. Yeah yeah, well it looks great. So obviously it's quite popular when it's a sports
02:37event on. Very popular. Football mainly. Our pool, we have seven pool teams or we'll be having this year, we've got six at the moment. Yeah, well how many tables you got out the back there? Six. Six tables?
02:49Yeah. Yeah, you certainly don't expect that do you when you're from the front. And other little
02:54ventures you've got, you've got some airbnb rooms that people can rent. Yep, my wife deals with that. There's two airbnb rooms at the minute, yes.
03:01And they prove quite popular, I understand. Popular, yeah. Yeah, yeah. So what kind of clean, is it locals pub, is that how it works?
03:09Yeah, mainly locals. We know normally all the customers that come in but we do get a lot of
03:14outsiders come in as well. So it's a mix really. Yeah. Completely mix. And a nice little touch,
03:19you've almost got your own little family community living room on the side there with all your pictures
03:26and talk us through the ethos of that room. We were speaking to one of the girls here and she was
03:30saying you have like family film nights and stuff. Yeah, well my son and his girlfriend live upstairs with
03:36two granddaughters and they've got that room mainly for themselves. Yeah. It's, and again,
03:43the public's the odd person if we don't go in there. Yeah. But yeah, it's just really for a family room
03:49where we can play cards and come in those with the kids. Yeah. And they still have the pub atmosphere.
03:54Yeah. And your lads involved, Wayne? Yeah, Wayne's just walked in. Is it? Is this Wayne? Come on Wayne,
04:00come and jump in on the video. I'll wash up. I'll go on, we'll let you have a wash first. So um,
04:05is he still involved? Is he involved in the pub? Yeah. The running of the pub? Well, not mainly
04:09running the pub but he lives upstairs and he knows all about the pub. Like if I need him to do anything
04:15for me if I'm away, he does it. Yeah, yeah. So would you, um, would you like to, you know,
04:21would you like to see this passed down and keep it in the family? Is that, you know what I mean?
04:26Yes, I would, yeah. Does Wayne know that? Yeah, he knows that. Does he know what he's doing?
04:32He'd be happy to run this in the future. Yeah. Well, it's a great pub, mate. I mean,
04:37you can tell it's full of warmth and character really, even just a few minutes off with you
04:42and I think it looks fantastic. So, good job all around sir. Well done. Okay, thank you very much.
04:47We've got the, um, the McPhilips brothers. Yes. Hello lads, how you doing? How are you? So,
04:53how long you been coming into the pub here? How long's it been your pub? Oh, 40 odd years. Has
05:00it? Oh, right. So you've seen it change a bit over the years. I used to come in when, uh, the father
05:06Sid. Oh, did you? No way. Okay, great stuff. Um, what about you then? 40 odd years as well for you?
05:13No, not quite, no. I've been living away so I've only just come back for the last couple of years.
05:18So, last 12 months I've been here now. Yeah, yeah. Nice to have somewhere like this to come for a
05:22part with your brother, innit? Yeah, it's a lovely pub. Yeah, yeah. And what do you think of what,
05:27um, what Mr. Monf has done internally? It's looking good, innit? I think. Yeah, it's a great pub.
05:32Yeah. Yeah. Neil's a great host. Yeah. Karen. Brilliant. Yep. Great stuff. That's all you can,
05:39all you can ask for, innit, for your local pub. And the guys behind the bar, they're fantastic. Great stuff.
05:43Well, we'll let you enjoy your part. Cheers, lads. Thank you. Cheers. Cheers.
