Staff

Lisa was involved in the start-up process at the Combermere as a roving manager, and verily, her light shone brightly, so she was immediately snapped up by Harkers, much to Jon's chagrin. When the opportunity arose to snaffle her back to the Combermere, he leap at the chance. Lisa has a background in the airline industry as a hostess working for Virgin, where she had a ball, but finds life on terra firma more agreeable.

Ali started with us in 2004 whilst doing Pure Maths at Loughborough. The only thing that got him through that was his appreciation of beer, so after finishing uni it seemed inevitable that a life behind bars was for him. Part of the bedrock of the pub, Ali is steadily working his way through the whisky list. He is a keen hockey player and usually comes into work on a Saturday after a match with a touch of caducity to his posture (look it up).

Simon has been a steady hand at the Combermere for some years now. His 6'5" frame proves useful for the top shelf and is entertaining in the 5'8" cellar. Nicknamed 'Superdry' by the friendlier locals, he has a penchant for sharp shirts and shiny belt buckles. Si brings an infectious enthusiasm with him everyday that makes him a favourite with crew and customers alike.

Charlotte has been with us here at the Combermere Arms since we started, and funnily enough her family has been connected to B&P for years: her dad painted all the pubs when we first started here in the North. She has a light and lively personality, exudes confidence, and works tirelessly to make customers happy. She has a passion for photography and is busy developing her skills, as it were.

Tony comes to the Combermere with a wealth of experience, including Harvey's in Bristol (Michelin Star), Crewe Hall, and two seperate stints at Rookery Hall, which is some CV. The Combermere, of course, knocks all that lot into a cocked hat. He is friends with Dave from the Hand and Trumpet from their time together in the kitchens at Crewe Hall, so when he heard we were recruiting he threw his hat into the ring.

Marco is from Bolivia and adds an exotic flavour to our kitchen crew. He is trying to raise interest in Salsa dancing classes around the crew, but it’s going to be a long haul. He is one of the most likeable characters you could ever wish to meet.

Johnny first walked through the doors of the Combermere in 2005 as a KP, but has since taken the plunge and donned his whites, with great success - he won the 2009 company food competition with Charlotte, and between them they've become quite protective of the shiny trophy (we caught him polishing it while we he thought noone was looking). Johnny enjoys cooking all varieties of food, but when cooking for himself he favours alphabetti spaghetti.

John studied forensic sciences at university but when a chance to join the critically acclaimed 'CSI-Tarporley' fell through his passion for food took to the front and he joined us in October 2010. John is always happy to be here and his infectious good mood wins over the rest of the staff. He's often found after a shift enjoying the fruits of his labour at the bar.

Sandra Dykes has been involved in the pub trade in one capacity or the other for years. Married to Gerald, who works on a local farm, they have two grown up children. Enthusiastic revellers, Sandra always loves a party, and is always the one up for anything even if her legs sometimes aren't. She has been with the pub since we started and is a great asset.

Tony is a gardener’s gardener – when he came for interview he arrived clutching a batch of photographs of his garden at home, and it is clearly a passion of his. He is also a fully trained carpenter and experienced fabricator, so you couldn’t ask for anything more really. Except that he’s a really nice bloke as well.

Elaine is one of the pub characters, with a naturally sunny personality which comes from doing so much gardening. She is a bit of a badminton player as well as doing keep fit classes, so puts the rest of us couch potatoes to shame.

Trish worked at the Combermere for ten years before we arrived on the scene, and finds it confusing navigating her way around the pub. She’s a local lass who cycles to work to keep fit.