Six Decades of Landladies

To celebrate six decades of landladies who run pubs for them, Joseph Holt recently got six of their licensees together to show that running a pub can suit women at any age and from all walks of life. They are also proof that the varied role – involving everything from paperwork and managing staff to moving barrels of beer around the cellar – is hugely attractive to women, regardless of age, background, or personal situation. This sextet of women - in their 20s, 30s, 40s, 50s, 60s and 70s come from a wide variety of backgrounds ranging from hairdresser to mortgage advisor.

“We`re all really different yet are so similar because of the work we do,” says Andrea Lythgoe, 60, who says retiring is the last thing on her mind, “Of course we have to know every aspect of running a pub – in fact pulling pints is the least of it. We`re running businesses,  managing teams, we stage charity events, organise functions, do stock control and of course ensure customers are happy.”

The woman are all also committed to making pubs feel safer for women.  “I sometimes think that when customers know the pub is run by a woman, they feel even better, says Lisa Moran, 53. “I've always said I run my pub in a way that would make my mum feel safe if she came in by herself.”