James Martin is proof that a part-time bar associate can run his own Wetherspoon pub.
The 23-year-old is one of the youngest pub managers in the company and, this July, he is already celebrating one year at the helm at The Woodseats Palace, in Sheffield.
Originally from Lancaster, James studied green-keeping at Myerscough College, near Preston. He left school to take up a role as a golf course groundsman.
James said: “I was 18 and working as a part-time bar associate at The Bankers Draft, in Sheffield, as well as being a groundsman, when I was made redundant from the golf course.
“So, I took the bar associate job on, full time, and that was just under five years ago.
“I made my way up through the excellent training programme which the company has and became holding manager at The Bankers Draft four years later, when the pub manager left.”
James held that position for three months and also had brief spells at Spa Lane Vaults (Chesterfield) and The Francis Newton (Sheffield), before moving to The Woodseats Palace in July 2011.
He said: “I am really enjoying my job as pub manager. I love the hands-on role and getting out there meeting customers.
“At this stage, I’m not looking to progress further in my career, as area manager (for example), but anything is possible in the future."