Northampton publicans celebrate 50 years in business as empire grows from family pub to 17 venues

Brothers Gary and Paul McManus have come a long way since working behind the bar at their family pub in St James.

Inspired by their landlord parents, Anne and Michael, the duo have since gone on to own some of Northampton's most-loved pubs and bars - with two ventures now in Essex.

"I knew the business well, the Thomas Becket was always a busy pub," Gary McManus said. "Growing up there it was a very fun and social place to work and I met a lot of fun and interesting people along my journey.

"It was a business I felt that I could grow in and take it to the next stage when my mum and dad decided to retire, which I have done, and here we are at our 50th milestone."

McManus Pub Company celebrated officially turning 50 on March 19 but celebrations were tainted as lockdown was announced by Boris Johnson only four days afterwards.

It was a new challenge to overcome for the pair who had witnessed the effects of the smoking ban in 2007 and Three-Day Week in the 1970s.

"The smoking ban was our biggest challenge and we did have different economic climates that we had to get ourselves through," Gary added.

"In recent years people often say to me 'pubs are always closing every week'. As much as there's pubs closing, there's pubs always opening as well - it's a great industry to work in and it's very much a people's industry, it's a real enjoyable place and had some fantastic times over the years with pubs in Northampton we've done.

"I suppose you're always following some kind of a dream aren't you and trying to better yourself and your family. That was my driver for me, to improve the quality of our lives."

Among McManus' success stories are Brampton Halt - which boasts a man-made lake - and Barratts Snooker Club, which is also celebrating it's 30th birthday this year.

The two venues are among 13 other Northampton venues the pair own, which include The Wharf, The Red Lion, The Lamport Swan, The Fox and Hounds, The Sun Inn, The Sir Pickering Phipps, The Thomas A' Becket, The Foundrymans Arms, The Golden Horse, The Jeckyll and Hyde, The Lord Byron, The Crown & Anchor and The Wig and Pen.

"I like developing pubs," Gary added. "Taking something, knocking a few walls out and refurbishing it so when people walk through the door their faces light up.

"That side of it is always pleasing and the retailing side of it has always been interesting growing our food and drinks offer and trying to be as good as we possibly can be in Northampton as an independent.

"Knowing that you have to put your staff first puts confidence into your guests. Above everything else you have to let people have fun in the pub and restaurant industry - people go out to have a fun, a good laugh and get looked after."

Gary said when the lockdown was announced by Boris Johnson it brought a sense of relief among his team as the Prime Minister warned customers off going out the week before, which harmed trade.

"I think the Government, in my view, have handled [lockdown] quite well with the furloughing of all our staff and I think they have cradled us if you like. We will hopefully have all our pubs open in the first two weeks after July 4.

"We are gradually opening them so we can learn from openings and things customers and staff like and don't like."

Now, in line with re-openings their venues from July 4, McManus has launched a new app, which will enable guests to make bookings and order food and drinks, before and during their visit to minimise contact.

"When we reopen we will still try to keep that fun aspect, that fun hospitality and the love of a good, well-run pub whether it be the theatre behind the bar and the theatre on the floor, great food, music and everything that goes into making up a good pub and above that people still having fun."