Riverside Inn in Northwich is our pub of the week

With national and local lockdowns making traditional trading impossible for long periods, it's about time we rang the bell and celebrated the best of our pubs across mid-Cheshire.

In the first of our 'Pub of the Week' feature, we spoke to Kelly Martin, manager at The Riverside Inn in Acton Bridge, about her time in the industry and what sets her pub apart from all the others.

Tell us your name and a little bit about yourself.

My name is Kelly Martin and I've ran restaurants all over England and Wales for 21 years.

I've been at the Riverside for more than eight and a half years.

How long have you been in the pub business and what do you love most about your job?

I started as a kitchen assistant at 14 and have moved my way through the business, starting my first General manager position at 19-years-old in a pub in Wigan and I've been the job ever since.

Building a team that have a passion for the job and watching them grow is what I love the most.

What sets you apart from other pubs in the area?

My team 100 per cent.

How do you feel your business has dealt with the last 18 months?

We've dealt with it the only way we know how and that’s by staying positive and coming back fighting.

We had the floods to deal with which meant a whole new refurb to manage as well.

But we kept the full team through furlough and all are back now, as happy and friendly as ever.

What can you do to bring in even more trade?

We will just continue doing what we love to do, and that’s looking after our guests and each other which in turn keeps people coming.

What’s your own personal favourite tipple?

A really really cold glass of Sauvignon blanc

If you run or own a pub business and would like to feature as our 'Pub of the Week' send an e-mail to scott.murphy@newsquest.co.uk