Wigan pub's new landlord undaunted by taking over boozer in pandemic

Carl Jump and his partner Ellie Thompson have moved into The Black Bull at Standish and are currently taking advantage of the lockdown preventing pubs opening to give the place a spruce-up.

The couple have made the move into the pub trade after several years working in hotels, although this is not going to be Carl’s first stint behind the bar.

The coronavirus pandemic has had a colossal impact on the hospitality industry, with breweries, pubs and consumer groups all repeatedly highlighting the scale of the problems faced by the sector and the threat to its future.

Carl, though, says he is confident that once restrictions are eased and life begins getting back to normal there will be considerable pent-up demand for meeting up with friends over a few drinks.

He said: “I’m not nervous about taking on a pub at all. My mum and dad think I’m crazy but Ellie and I have got 20 years in the hospitality industry between us.

“I think everybody has felt a kind of cabin fever. It could go one way or the other but I’m hoping it goes the way we want.

“Once Covid lets up I think it will be back to normal and people will start embracing the pub culture again. People are going to want to meet and we want to make this a fun place to be again.

“I signed up with Marston’s last year. We came over to Standish to have a look and really liked the place. It’s a great little village.

“We’re just really looking forward to the prime minister saying we’re all safe.”

Thousands of people have already checked in at the Facebook page Carl and Ellie have set up to spread word about The Black Bull in Standish and its surrounding areas.

He says his previous experience of this part of the world came when he travelled to places like Standish and Mawdesley to play cricket for his team.

He said social distancing measures will be fully in place for as long as they are needed and making sure people are safe when they can return to the pub is a key initial priority.

He also spoke of his longer-term plans, such as putting on live entertainment and using the Market Street pub’s large beer garden, with ideas in the pipeline including putting in an application for planning permission to build a stage.

Carl is moving back into the pub trade from a stint in hotels which included working for Premier Inn, a company where Ellie has also been an employee, and Radisson.

To find out more visit www.facebook.com/theblackbullstandish/

If you value what we do and are able to support us, a digital subscription is just £1 for your first month. Try us today by clicking here and viewing our offers.