An interview with Ben

Ben Robinson, Director of Pub Partnerships, celebrates 10 years at Robinsons

Can you describe a typical day in your role? Or is there no such thing as a "typical" day for you? 

The beauty of the role is that there isn’t a typical day, which is why it is so interesting, because in exactly the same way for our Pub Partners running their pubs, no two days are the same. With so many different pubs and so many different styles of operators, you never know what’s going to come up. The first thing I do in the morning is go to the coffee machine! Then, I speak to the team to find out if anything has happened in the pubs the previous night, there is usually something daily. It could be really positive things like great sales and events, or more challenging things like problems that individual Pub Partners are having. It could be difficulties in property from storms or floods, which we have to jump on really fast. 

How did you begin your career at Robinsons? 

I joined 10 years ago, doing a similar role at Marston’s. I joined Robinsons to look after all of the different external sales channels. Robinsons had a thriving free trade at the time which we exited in 2019 to focus on our core business. As the managed pub side of business was growing, the opportunity to get back into pubs came up which is something I was keen to do as the majority of my background was in pubs; both managed and tenanted. 

What’s your favourite part of working with Pub Partners and what has kept you here for 10 years? 

Seeing their success, really. Seeing people come in with a business plan that they think is right and watching how they bring that plan to life with the support of so many different people at Robinsons. We have to approve their first business plan, so when someone comes in with a vision for a pub, we sign off on it. Sometimes, more often than not, that plan changes over the coming years, for example if other pubs in the area get stronger, or if the business is a bit more seasonal than people thought it was. 

I went for dinner in one of our pubs on Saturday, they’ve been in for 4 months and the pub had a great atmosphere and was so busy. It was fantastic to see it thriving, every table was full. It’s really pleasing to visit pubs outside of work and see them doing so well. 

What’s the most memorable challenge you’ve faced in your role, and how did you overcome it? 

I had been in my current role for 3 months when the pandemic hit, I started on 1^st January 2020 and by the 18th of March, every pub was closed, and the teams were put on furlough. I had to understand our estate and Pub Partners very quickly, I don’t think anything prepares anyone for that. I was still working though, the comms side to our Pub Partners was just myself and David (Director of Marketing) - people still needed wellbeing and emotional support. I never want to go through it again, but having to visit them and speak to them on the phone so frequently made me get to know them much faster, and I got a much better and faster understanding of our pubs. 

Another challenge was that when we re-opened in July of 2020, everybody was so nervous about re-opening, even our most experienced Pub Partners. It was all about supporting them and giving them the confidence to run their business. We did webinars to talk about customers’ expectations and what our Pub Partners should do. 

What’s one piece of advice you would give to someone looking to get into the brewery or pub industry? What skills would someone need? 

Just do it! To be honest, you need to be the absolute all-rounder. You need to challenge people and support people; you need to be an emotional crutch sometimes. You need to encourage people to take risks. I mean, I did English Literature at university, but since age 14, I have never had a job that didn’t involve going into a pub. When my mate went on holiday, I stood in for him glass collecting in a club, and have always been in pubs since, I’ve always been in the industry. 

What do you enjoy doing outside of work?  

Bike riding, I love riding my bike. I have done a lot of industry charity rides the last couple of years through hospitality rides supporting the Licenced Trade Charity and Only a Pavement Away. I have also recently become addicted to padel tennis like a lot of my colleagues at Robinsons! We go a local place called Soul Padel, it’s a lot of fun. And travel, I like to travel. 

Do you have a favourite Robinsons pub or location you love to visit? And what is your favourite Robinsons beer? 

I like rural pubs. Living in the Peak District; I always smile when I cycle past one of our pubs. We have best some of the best floral displays; they’re certainly looked after and in some of the most attractive villages!  

I love hoppy beers, so Hopnik Citra is one of my favourite Robinsons beers. 

What does the future of pubs look like? 

Well, since the pandemic, people have realised the social importance of pubs and how important they are to their villages and communities, I think that is only going to get stronger. All the events that people got bored of before covid like a local carnival are ten times stronger now. A pub that doesn’t want to be part of its community isn’t going to survive.