Staff

With a degree in arts management, Jimmy has an old head on young shoulders, having helped run the family business from the age of seventeen. James was brought up in Mold, and one of the strange things about him is that when you take a photo of him, he always looks about thirteen pushing fourteen, which must cause a problem at passport control. He is the Cliff Richard of our pub managers.

Emma has been with us since 1999, and she is another who came for a casual job, just sort of stayed, and is now a manager. Being thoroughly local, she knows everyone in Gresford, and is always bright and breezy. Emma is a natural host, and is great at getting the party going and making sure that everyone is included.

Hils (as she is affectionately known here) has been at the Pant since 2005 and had always wanted her dream job, being a manager at the Pant, which she achieved in early 2011. Hils is from Italy, is a very keen walker, loves the gym and running, and has quite a few half marathons under her belt. She's an example to us all.

Justin came to us from a successful career in the motor factoring business – it was successful, but it no longer floated his boat. He is a natural host and genuinely enjoys looking after people, dashing about the place in a whirlwind of enthusiasm. Justin is married with two children, and when he isn’t running around the pub, he runs up and down hills.

Sara is a star, make no bones about it. After a long career in banking she decided it was time for a bit more fun and a change of pace. Having been a good customer for many years she decided to be brave and ask about a job, so we snatched her hand off and now she’s loving it. Running around the Pant all day really seems to suit her and as a bit of a foodie (having an Italian husband helps) she is now trying Pant recipes at home.

John has a faintly piratical look about him, and has got to head up the Pant kitchen crew by dedication and ability. Great on a night out, but get his taxi fare before the car leaves the station. He has seen it all, and some. A chef’s chef.

Simon joined us in June 2009 after many years of working all over the world including Australia and New Zealand with his partner Kerrie ( who is a chef over at our Grosvenor). Simon is good fun in the kitchen with a wicked sense of humour, but we're never quite sure when he's being serious or acting the goat. He has set up home in Gresford and become proud daddy to Maisy (springer spaniel puppy).

Rich has been with us since March 2009 but had previously worked here as an agency chef, so we knew his form. He's a gentle giant who tries to portray himself as a toughie but he just isn't - rather he looks after his fellow workers in the manner of a big brother. Rich is ambitious and is keen to have his own kitchen one day, which will surely come to pass. His hobbies include propping up the bar at Glasfryn, so he's a natural.

Rob is a bright young man who just about holds his own in the kitchen, although he’s discovered groovy bars in Manchester so he might go off the rails at any time. He is at college one day a week doing his NVQ level 1.

Daniel brings calm and serenity to a busy and hectic kitchen, like the still waters of a pond. He worked in a hotel in wild Scotland before moving with his girlfriend to Wrexham, and life is sweet.

Rob is our baby in the kitchen and as he's the 2nd Rob he is affectionally known as "Baby Rob", which of course he loves. He has been with us since Oct 2008, and is a keen Blackburn supporter. Rob is quite sportif, and enjoys playing football as well as working out at the gym, playing tennis and shooting the odd game of pool.

Even after riding his motorbike to work for nearly an hour every morning you’ll always see him with a smile on his face. John is a truely lovely bloke, he has a young daughter who he can’t stop talking about (aaaahhhh) and an array of awful jokes, which somehow make people laugh. He’s keen as mustard in the kitchen and throws everything into his job which is great for him and us.

Phil joined us at the same time as Kim, the two both having worked together at the Alyn pub in Rossett (so I bet we’re popular with them). He started in the world of catering doing a stint of work experience at the Lion Quays at Oswestry, where he did extremely well by all accounts. Phil is keen and enthusiastic, and likes football and socialising (where have I heard that before?).

Paula has certainly made an impact on the Pant - she is a lively and enthusiastic soul who keeps morale high and the atmosphere light. She is married to Brian and is mother to Rob who works in the kitchen – and its funny, but he’s suddenly turned into a polite, hard-working and conscientious young man. Maybe we all need our Mums around.

The quieter of the team, Chris is a gardener through and through, and is always planning and developing ideas for the next season. The gardens have been transformed since the boys arrived and we try hard to keep them happy, as customers (and the other pubs) try to poach them on a regular basis.

One half of our gardening duo, Tony is an absolute jewel who really is worth his weight in gold. He can turn his hand to anything and has become invaluable with his maintenance, building and decorating skills as well as his gardening. The Pant gardens have never looked so good. Tony is a family man with two lovely daughters.

Annie was born in St Andrews, Scotland, and has three children and five grand children. She is married to Gordon, has travelled the world with the Armed Forces, so is very worldly wise. Annie came back to the UK 15 years ago and opened her own business in Wrexham retailing wedding dresses.