The General Manager role in a pub has changed dramatically over the years. Today, it’s about much more than managing rotas and stock. A great General Manager is a leader, a people‑builder, a guardian of standards and most importantly a custodian of the pub itself.
There’s no better example of this than what we’ve seen at The Red Lion in Market Drayton, our flagship pub, under the leadership of Chris, who took on the General Manager role in December 2024.
In just a short space of time, Chris has launched our brand‑new events space, The Stag, overseen the reopening of The Red Lion after an extensive refurbishment and helped shape the pub into the vibrant, welcoming place it is today. Watching the pubs journey under his leadership has been something we’re incredibly proud of.
A new chapter for our flagship pub
When Chris stepped into the General Manager position, The Red Lion was entering a pivotal moment, shaped by both the launch of The Stag, our new dedicated events space and the redevelopment of The Red Lion.
The introduction of The Stag marked a significant step forward, creating a flexible space designed for private events, community gatherings and celebrations. It expanded what the pub could offer and opened the door to a new kind of trade, bringing in fresh energy alongside the day-to-day rhythm of a busy town centre pub.
At the same time, The Red Lion itself was evolving. A full redevelopment of the pub began to reshape it into a true flagship site, improving the look, feel and flow of the space while staying rooted in everything people already loved about it.
Since then, the transformation has been huge, not just in how the pub looks, but in how it feels.
The launch of The Stag signalled the beginning of a new era for The Red Lion, and the reopening of the main pub completed that journey, creating a site that feels vibrant, welcoming and full of life.
That progress doesn’t happen by accident. It takes leadership, commitment and a deep understanding of what makes a great pub, all qualities Chris brings to his General Manager role every day.
Why people come first
Ask Chris what drew him to Joule’s in the first place, and his answer sets the tone for how he leads.
“The people, it really is that simple.”
From his very first interactions, Chris noticed the culture.
“Everyone I met was genuine, kind and open. It felt like good people ran the business from the ground up, and I felt wanted and accepted very early on.”
Life behind the bar… and beyond it
As any pub General Manager will tell you, there’s no such thing as a typical day.
“Every day really is different and that’s what I love.”
Some days are spent focused on supporting and developing the team. Other days are about reconnecting with customers and regulars something Chris values hugely.
““At weekends it’s very team focused. During the week, I find myself chatting with the regulars more and that’s where you really feel the heart of the pub.”
This balance between team leadership and customer experience is at the core of a successful General Manager role and one Chris has mastered.
Trust that allows pubs to thrive
One of the things Chris values most in his role as General Manager is the level of trust placed in him.
“I’m trusted by the senior leadership team to run the pub.”
That trust allows Chris to focus on what he believes truly matters his people, his customers and the standards he sets.
“There’s guidance when I need it, but I’m backed to make decisions. That freedom makes a massive difference.”
It’s this faith in leadership that has allowed The Red Lion to grow with confidence.
Standards, pride and doing things properly
For Chris, being a General Manager means being proud of every detail.
“A proper pub is clean, friendly and run by people who genuinely want to be there.”
That pride is visible from the warmth of the welcome to the quality of the beer.
“Beer quality and cellar standards are vital, especially when you’re so closely tied to the brewery. Serving perfect beer, the way it should be served, creates value for money and that’s what keeps people coming back.”
A team he’s proud to lead
One of the most impressive achievements during Chris’s time as General Manager has been building the team.
“When I think about where we were in 2024 with a small team, I’m incredibly proud of how far we’ve come.”
Even though the pub and team has grown significantly, the culture hasn’t been lost.
“We’ve kept that smaller team mentality. Careers are being shaped and good people attract good people.”
That sense of care and pride flows directly into the atmosphere customers experience the moment they walk through the door.
A thriving atmosphere, every day of the week
Spend time in The Red Lion now and you can feel it.
“A great atmosphere is a mix of conversation, people enjoying themselves and music.”
Whether it’s a busy weekend service, a relaxed mid‑week pint or an event in the Stag, the pub feels alive, a testament to strong General Manager leadership.
What makes a great General Manager?
Chris sums it up simply:
“Commitment is huge but knowing when to switch off is just as important.”
Great General Managers are open, approachable and honest, setting clear expectations while creating trust at every level.
“That trust is what builds strong teams and strong pubs.”
Looking back and looking forward
We’re incredibly proud of how far The Red Lion has come in such a short space of time under Chris’s leadership. From reopening the doors to creating a pub that serves its community day in, day out, his impact as General Manager has been clear.
While many of our pubs are run by independent tenants, as we grow we continue to explore how experienced General Managers might help shape the future of some of our pubs.
Stories like Chris’s remind us that great pubs aren’t just built, they’re led.