Friday 1 March 2013

Admin Assistant or Pub Landlady?

There have been moments this week when I have felt very much like an underpaid Admin Asst.............. I have been chained to our desk, reviewing all our policies and procedures and on Wednesday I sat for almost 10 hrs straight typing, collating, sorting and filing and I still have more to do tomorrow when I go in.

Our advertising for new staff has gone very, very well - we have been overwhelmed with applicants this time. So much so, we closed the list quite early because we had so many callers.

So many young people (17 / 18yrs) desperate for work, and some older people as well. Very, very sad to see and hear such desperation........... however, we have taken some great people on. Nowadays though I take people for their value rather than feeling sorry for them, ohhhhhh I have got harder!!!

We've taken a lovely young man in our kitchen who shows much potential and we are also taking on 2 young boys to be Apprentice's. The Apprentices are particularly exciting as its important to prepare for our future, and I am looking forward to helping these two grow and learn, and of course, what they will bring to our business. We've also got another 4 for the front of house, it means that hopefully we'll be able to have less holiday staff and more well trained permanent staff!

Very, very exciting to be able to be growing our business like this and importantly for the people we are taking on - its a bit like a dog not being just for Christmas, these jobs are (hopefully!) for the whole year - not seasonal!

On Thursday I attended a Customer Service Training course with a bit of knowledge about the Riviera Coast thrown in for good measure. I must say that it took me back to when I worked in Local Government, and staff attended courses because they blooming well had to! Those of us that had paid (a couple) were very attentive, but some of the younger ones were very giggly and frankly annoying, yet it was those that needed it most!!

A mixed crowd, there was a fab young man who after being made redundant 6 times in 6 years was starting his own Paddle Boarding company - his enthusiasm was infectious. Some young people from a big local attraction and also a camp site. There was also a contingent from a hotel that had been on the TV quite a bit, and it was interesting to make comparisons from what I'd seen on the TV to how they actually behaved. One of the ladies impressed me greatly with her loyalty to the old boss, but the lads, although nice confirmed their television impression. We have had the opportunity to appear in a TV series but we declined, and after seeing and then hearing their experiences first hand - I think we made the right choice........... the saying that all publicity is good publicity does not always seem to be true!?! But I do wish the new young General Manager good luck in turning the hotel around - for someone so young she had huge responsibilities - but a great head on young shoulders.

The menu planning for the summer is coming on a treat, and customers can be sure of a few nice surprises this year....... But next week we are off to Cornwall with Head Chef James and Manager Glo to a large trade show and take a look at what's on offer and what the trends are for crockery etc. I think we need to make a bit of investment in new crockery as I don't think we can limp through another year with what we have - especially offering food all day now!

Our new advertising boards have been done and are looking splendid - we are very lucky to have such a talented friend who does them for us. Even a new (last year very controversial) Man Creche sign!! They have made the front of the pub very eye catching and colourful and I think they look fab!  

33 comments:

Germaine said...

I am sending a photo of your disgusting sexist Man Crèche sign to the equal opportunities authority pointing out the assumption that us girlies like shopping whilst our men sit in the pub. Surely this kind of sexist thinking went out in the 1960s and only remains alive in backward places like Salcombe . What next men only bars at the Victoria?
There must be better ways to use your sign ..... Firewood?

Liz said...

Dear Germaine
I'd like to think your comment is a wind up, but sadly, I suspect its not. We love our 'Man Creche' sign and so do many. many hundreds of others as well!
However, if you so wish to contact the EHRC, here is their website address: http://www.equalityhumanrights.com/

But a man only bar............Mmmm haven't considered that. Yet! :)

Liz

Richard said...

The only thing I find offensive is the assumption from Germaine that Salcombe is backward! Get back in your Range Rover and go find your sense of humour, I think you left it in Surrey!

OODevon said...

Germaine as in Greer??? Or are you just miserable full stop??

Anonymous said...

Dear Germaine.......I think you need to maybe GET A LIFE WITH A SENSE OF HUMOUR!!!!!!!!

It is attitudes like yours that have ruined the country that we live in.

The "Man Creche" sign has been at the Victoria for quite some time and to the NORMAL person has proved a funny talking point and non offensive.

Please in future go to another town for your holidays as people of your ilk would offend me.

You are a disgrace.

Unknown said...

I think Germaine must have had a sense of humour bypass and cant see it for what it is. It is this type of person that is usually the sexists type. She is probably also one of the PC brigade and goes around dressed in brogues and dungarees.

Sheesh those sort of people want to make me throw up she should stay in the kitchen where she belongs...... he say jokingly.

Anonymous said...

i think a women only bar would suit Germaine just fine. she could sit there all by her backwardself and take pitty on her under developed sense of humor.
M H ....living in backwardsbutmostpopular Salcombe. I wonder if we should consider to ask for some sort of IQ before allowing people to enter our lovely, sheltered part of the world mmmm what you think Liz ;-)

Unknown said...

Sorry Germain, Hayling Island is also out of bounds.

Anonymous said...

I am incredulous that anyone can have such a peculiar view of life as Germaine demonstrates. If Germaine is typical of non-backward thinking (thinkers) I am so grateful we survive in this remote and unloved wilderness called Salcombe in the South Hams. Long live our isolation and preserve our backward town from imbeciles like this!

Anonymous said...

Manhole, mankind, manhandle, man bag, man alive, Manchester United, Manchego cheese, mandible, Le Mans, Isle of Man, Manhatten, good manners, Bad Manners, mansions, Germans, Manitoba, Nelson Mandela and MANy other things will now be referred to Germaine to ensure she has something to b****h about.





Anonymous said...

I love the man crèche! Who wants to drag a man around the lovely Salcombe shops? To be honest mine has never really grown up, so a crèche at the glorious Victoria Inn suits him perfectly where he can sit and sup and I can splash his cash! Liz H

Clare said...

She's gotta be joking, right? Here in backward Salcombe I have seen people taking photos of the sign and saying they love it! Really - get a life.

Clare said...
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
Ros said...

Speechless really. Well I for one (and of course I'm not the only one) think that the sign is brilliant and my Husband and dog love coming into your great Inn because you are so welcoming and friendly - and i love it too. Please DON'T change a thing!

Cookee said...

What about a dog only bar Liz?

Cookee

Anonymous said...

'Us girlies' think Germaine should go shopping for a sense of humour. I don't find it in the slightest offensive, and don't think there is anything sexist about the sign, just a bit of fun. Germaine please google images for "Man creche sign" and you will see that it is not just the Vic that uses this clever and witty advertising ;)

Boothy said...

Rise above it all.

Anonymous said...

Maybe the next sign should read....

"Germaine is a TW*T"

Lets see what the feminist writes about that!!!!!!!

Liz said...

I doubt it's Ms Greer. I think she'd find the sign mildly funny?!?

Liz said...

Hayling Island?? Flip, not been there myself for YEARS!!

Anonymous said...

And another thing, there's a door in your pub that clearly says 'Ladies' I demand you take this sexist offensive sign down. I didn't burn my bra, grow a moustache and take up pipe smoking in the 60's for this!!!

Ms Felicity Vinegartits

Liz said...

Blimey - did you swallow a dictionary?? Thank you for making ME smile. 😉

Liz said...

Thank you Ros - shan't be changing anything!
Liz x

Liz said...

Well you know how much we love dogs. Isn't that right Honey?? :)

Liz said...

Isn't it funny, but for someone so offended by my sexist sign she used the term 'girlies'?? Bizarre...... Yes, not ashamed to say I nicked this term, but the artistry is all ours and original.
Liz

Liz said...

Thanks Boothy, it's sometimes a bit hard :(
BUT, the free advertising I've had from this is amazing!! The stats show more people have looked at our website than usual, lots of replies on here, masses of face book & twitter responses! I haven't paid a penny.........
Every cloud........
Liz

Liz said...

They even get a badge if they're extra good!
Liz x

Liz said...

I think it's a shame that something so lovely, funny & inoffensive can make someone so angry. I think it's quite sad,
Liz

Liz said...

Maybe she hasn't even visited?? Just a thought??
Liz

Liz said...

We even have postcards of the first original sign!
Liz

Liz said...

Well if I had a quid for every picture that's been taken, I'd be quite well off!! Glad YOU like it!
Liz x

Liz said...

Well, I think the sign has to stay, otherwise we'd not know if there were men or women in there??
Oh hang on-that could be fun?? No stop Liz!! You CAN'T have fun in a pub......,.,

I think all the comments show that generally speaking we're still a fun loving nation - our sense of humour has seen our country through many dark times - lets not let one or three miseries take it away from us! The sign in all it's glory stays.

Anonymous said...

I went in this pub and found lots of men quietly enjoying themselves, I was so perturbed I went straight home to my rabbit.

Madam Yeti Hairymole