Behind The Bar

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August 29, 2025

An end

Hello,

To my shock I got fired on Wednesday morning. It’s not on fair grounds and I’m very angry and upset.

I’m upset because I’ve let Paul and the cats down, since we urgently need to uproot and move house. I’ve let my pub down, because I was making progress here and as much as I probably, maybe, shouldn’t I do actually love my pub. Well, not my pub anymore is it.

I outlasted all the early prognoses of two days or a week or a month. Nearly 9 months is a huge record, compared to the other managers who’ve been put in here, one of which really did last two days and most were measured in weeks.

I’ve achieved plenty while I’ve been here. Getting the real ale back on and bringing in new darts teams, getting this gigantic refurb both put through and actually finished. I never got to open my burger shack.

The only way is out, so I need to find somewhere for me and Paul and the furry babies to live.

I don’t really know what to say. What to do. During the time I’ve been here I’ve had homophobic attacks on the pub and myself, I’ve been punched by customers, I’ve had people stalking the pub. That’s, I hate to say, normal for running a pub so it is what it is. I have nonetheless loved and looked after the place.

I did say, as they fired me, that they could expect rioting. For the handful of customers who hate my guts there are tens if not hundreds that love me. They have been emailing and phoning the company for the past two days.

For now I have to focus on finding us somewhere to live and a new job. I’ve not got very much time to do either and it’s obviously very difficult circumstances to be doing it in.

I’m just so sad, more than anything. I know pubs come and go, in this trade and that all too often some political wranglings put someone in this position. As soon as the refurbishment was finished, other people wanted this place.

But it is what it is. Which is, frankly, a load of absolute shite. I’ll write something more philosophical when I can think.

Hazel

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Eris
Sep. 16, 2025, evening

Feel like moving to my home county in Ireland and managing The Harbour Bar ?

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1BFRTUUVwK/

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Ian
Sep. 3, 2025, morning

Literally ought to be illegal, so sorry this happened Hazel

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Eris
Aug. 30, 2025, morning

Oh Hazel, I'm so sorry! That's such heinous bullshit.

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Julian
Aug. 30, 2025, morning

So sorry to hear ,I suspect they may regret that decision, good luck going forward.

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lennysmith7@yahoo.co.uk
Aug. 30, 2025, afternoon

Oh that's awful. All your graft and enthusiasm. Heartbreaking. Hope you find something good for soon.

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Ivan W
Aug. 29, 2025, afternoon

What a shit thing to happen. Hope you find something new soon, Hazel.

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Jeannie Seymour
Aug. 29, 2025, afternoon

So sorry you’re having to go through this Hazel. Especially as you have put so much into it.

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Jim Mowatt
Aug. 31, 2025, afternoon

Absolutely appalling. It seemed like you were making a real difference.

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Mark
Aug. 31, 2025, afternoon

Gutted for you. Don't know what else to say. Please keep us updated.

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Nick
Sep. 1, 2025, noon

Really sorry to hear that and hope you find a new place soon. Pubcos really are where some of the worst bastards end up and now they'll probably squander all your hard work.

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Eamonn
Aug. 29, 2025, evening

Sorry indeed to hear this. I have enjoy ed reading these updates and hope for more from whatever you do next

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Louise
Aug. 29, 2025, evening

That’s awful, I’m so sorry, Hazel. It must hurt after everything you’ve put into the place. Here’s hoping you land on your feet somewhere better soon.

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Katie
Aug. 29, 2025, evening

That’s awful news, I’m so sorry. I hope you can find a safe and happy place to live shortly

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