The heart and soul of our operation
We know that no matter how good our food or drink is, you wont enjoy yourselves unless our team are happy and can deliver the best service possible. Training is key and as well as on the job training we ensure that we do separate training sessions and visits to suppliers to enable them to learn more about our ingredients and products.
We offer a range of NVQs to our employees should they want to progress their studies within the industry as well.
In addition, we have a management training programme to aid our hospitality ‘legends’ of the future.
This includes training events incorporating personal development, financial training, visits to food and drink suppliers and lots of other industry events.
Meet Hope - Assistant Manger
Hope began her hospitality journey in 2021 at The Lion as a food runner, quickly working her way up to supervisor role through her hard work and dedication. In 2025, she joined The Swan as Assistant Manager, bring her experience and energy to the team.
Outside of work, Hope has a real passion for superbikes and can often find her watching the action at Oulton Park.
Meet Meg - Deputy Manager
Meg joined The Swan in 2023 as Deputy Manager and is known for her caring and understanding nature. A real support to Wesley and the whole team, she plays a key role in keeping everything running smoothly day to day.
Meg loves yoga and anything that brings a bit of peace and balance, although she’s just as capable of smashing out a solid 10k run every now and again.
Meet Wesley - General Manager
Wesley joined Bear Inns in 2022 and became manager of The Swan in early 2023. Worked in hospitality his entire career, bringing plenty of experience and a passion for great service to the team.
When he is not at work, Wesley is busy at home running around after his wife and daughters, fixing everything they manage to break, and keeping active with training, whether that’s a 5k or preparing for a full marathon.
Meet Jack - Chef
Jack joined our team from the Town House. He has a wealth of experience in kitchens, starting his journey in Oswestry before heading to Jersey for a few years. Jack has really set the standards at The Swan with elevated great British pub dishes.
Jack was a championship winning swimmer before the chefs life took over, now he loves being outdoors whether walking the dog or fishing but who can blame him after slaving away over a hot shove all week.
Meet Woody - Owner of Bear Inns.
Centred around building teams of brilliant people to deliver the very best food and drink, Woody is a firm believer in supporting British farming and local suppliers and providing a level of hospitality rarely found in pubs today.
For 25 years, Woody has championed Great British pubs understanding their criticality in the social make up of rural communities and has been instrumental in the development of numerous award winning pubs and inns over his career. He also loves nothing better than ‘the craic’ over a pint or two in any great pub!
Other than sharing fabulous time with Fiona and their three children (often helping out at the family’s Bradwall Bakehouse), spare moments include a diminishing rugby career come society referee, learning to play the piano incredibly averagely and tasting and contrasting as many wines as possible!
Bear Inns Big Day Out
Each year Bear Inns close its pubs for the day and takes all its employees on a ‘Big Day Out’. We have awards twice a year for the team, in January at our ‘Christmas do’ and at our Big Day Out, where we also name our Employee of the Year.
On Thursday the 23rd March 2023 the Bear Inns team attended the Marketing Cheshire Tourism Awards where both The Swan and The Lion were nominated for Pub of the Year! We faced stiff competition but also knew all the hard work that had been put in over the last 12 months. We are so proud to say that The Swan took not only Pub of the Year but the Highly commended award in the accommodation category. The judges commented that what tipped the win in our favour was our ability to treat everyone like individuals and not just another customer. This is something we work hard on at Bear Inns, we want every guest, whether staying for a week, or popping in for a pint after work, to feel like they are at home. We’re so proud of our amazing teams and know that The Lion will be nipping at The Swans heels for the prize next year!
