5th June 2026
Written by Holly Richardson
15 years as a surveyor at Robinsons
What first made you get into surveying?
I was at college with another Surveyor who worked at Robinsons at the time and he sold me the dream of working for a brewery. My skill set was originally in architectural design, there is quite a large cross over of skill sets.
What do you have to do to become a surveyor?
To become a building surveyor you need to be passionate about buildings and have a good technical knowledge of building pathology and compliance. Then to work as a Robinsons surveyor you need to have patience and good people skills as well as the above.
What’s kept you at Robinsons for 15 years?
A constantly changing work environment and a genuine enjoyment for what I do. And I love pubs and beer. I love old buildings, and I love working with people and my job allows me to do all of these things on a daily basis, most people know me, and I’d like to think I get on with most the people I interact with, that makes coming to work a pleasure. Couple that with being able to keep old buildings alive and, well, that makes working as at Robinsons my ideal job.
How many pubs do you have on your patch?
I currently look after 60 pubs which is a big drop from the 107, I looked after when I first started. This shows how the pub industry has changed over the fifteen years I’ve been here. However, I will say the quality of those 60 is far superior to the original 107 I looked after.
Talk us through a typical ‘day in the life’
It’s a little cliched to say every day is different, I think every member of staff will testify to this within the business, so I’m going to focus on the things that don’t change.
Everyday I speak to a plethora of different people from pub managers, to directors, to the cleaners who are always the first on site at most pubs in a morning letting our contractors in to do their jobs before the pubs open. I also sign off invoices for works completed throughout the estate on a daily basis, and contrary to most of my team’s belief I make a brew for everyone!
Biggest challenges in your role?
The biggest challenge is managing expectation, as surveyors we’re in a very forward-facing role, and we find ourselves being the main conduit between people who want things to happen, and the people who make it happen. Keeping both parties happy is often a challenge!
Describe what it’s like to work at Robinsons
It’s a funny old place to work. For a chap who’s born and raised in Stockport and for someone who regularly uses many of the local establishments, I feel like I was destined to work for “Robbies”. My Grandad worked as a contractor for years and I feel like I simply picked up the baton and carried on along the path with it!
Three things people may not know about your job.
I would say that people perhaps wouldn’t know that I have looked after all of the different geographical areas on the estate from Wales to Cumbria. Another thing that maybe isn’t common knowledge is - when I first started we had two “old managed houses” The Victoria, Llanbedr and The Tanronnen, Bedgellert which I was responsible for. I have also been responsible for keeping the entire pub estate electrically compliant for the last 10 years by managing our electrical testing programme.
Biggest misconception of working in the pub industry
This has changed over the years when I first started at Robinsons, I received real stick about Robinsons never spending money on their pubs which was a common misconception. However over the years that has changed. I think the biggest misconception now is “the pub industry is a dying trade”, which I strongly disagree with. I think the pub trade has simply evolved and is a highly rewarding and profitable business for people who are willing to work hard and be innovative.
If you could pick one Robinsons pub to own and operate, which would it be and why?
I could personally see myself behind the bar at the Hole int Wall, Bowness-on-Windermere, brilliant building with such an interesting selection of customers, I would never get bored!
If distance was no factor, give us the ultimate Robinsons Saturday afternoon pub crawl
HAHA! I’m a simple creature! And a Robinsons purist!
I’d start at The Grapes, Hazel Grove and finish at the Arden Arms, Stockport. Picking up the Three Tunnes, Flying Coach, Crown, Great Moor, Travellers Call, Dog & Partridge, Duke of York, The Blossoms, Star and Garter and the Red Bull on the way. On route I’d get truly merry, chat rubbish to lots of Stopfordians, throw some arrows, play some pool and eat some really good grub in the Arden to finish!
Who makes the worst brews in the property office?
I’d say John Riley, he brews so rarely that I’d probably frame it rather than drink it, although I must say I can’t remember the last time Simon Bradford made a brew either! So I’ll put him as a close second.
You tell a great story. Who else would you find listening to the story over a pint?
We have a great team in the property office, both the investment team and the maintenance team are made up of proper top folk! And to still sit and listen to me waffle on at full volume after 15 years is a real testament to them! It probably wouldn’t have been the case when first started, but the guys in our pub operations are also good fun and I’d share a beer with anyone those people too!
Who else can you guarantee to tell a great story?
Whoever has a glass of Old Tom in their hand, they would always be my first bet! Also Tony Roberts has some good stories to tell, I believe the term is “dark horse”.
