REDDITCH’S longest-serving publican has been awarded a prestigious Dedicated Service Award.
It was given to Mark Callaghan of The Gate Hangs Well by area manager, Tom Maddison, in recognition of the contribution he has made to the community during his 25 years behind the bar.
The Gate Hangs Well is Mark’s first and only pub. Born and bred in Redditch, prior to taking on The Gate Hangs Well, he used to work in IT for Xerox.
For five years he also had a part-time job at the pub. So, when the lease became available, taking it on seemed the right thing to do at the right time.
Mark said: “I was sitting with my wife having a drink with the previous landlords when they mentioned that they would be putting it on the market.
“My wife turned to me and made an off the cuff remark. She said, if you were made redundant you could buy it.
“Spookily, the following week I was made redundant and so I did just that.
“I haven’t regretted my decision. I love my work and seeing the community evolve – being a part of Redditch residents’ lives – witnessing customers socialise with one another, get married, have children and then seeing their own children come in and buy their first drink.
“Of course, there are the sadder occasions too when customers pass away. The constant however is the pub.”
Mark has employed around 20 people in the years he has been running the pub, including the children of customers. Today it’s a one-man band with the help of his wife.
Mark was given the nickname Harry by regulars, named after Harry Callaghan – the lead character in Clint Eastwood’s Dirty Harry. As a result, the pub’s food offer is called Harry’s Kitchen.
The pub hosts the longest running quiz in town every Sunday from 9pm with no restrictions on team sizes. It also has a dart board and darts and domino teams.
Mark’s wife Karen helps out part-time in the pub and sells her own hand-made cards, gifts and jam in a corner of the bar.
Mark said: “I feel so lucky to run The Gate Hangs Well, which is a real hub of the community. The best bit for me is my customers, many of whom have become friends.”
