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 closes its pubs for the day and takes all its employees on a ‘Big Day Out’.
2022 Alderford Lake
2023 Gladiatorial Bouts, The Wirral
2024 Paintballing & Chester Fields
2025 Alderford Lake
2026 Chester Treasure Hunt & The Racecourse
We have awards twice a year for the team, in January at our ‘Christmas dos’ and at our Big Day Out. Awards are presented such as Team of the Year, The Jester, G.O.A.T and of course the employee of the year!
On March 3rd 2025, we celebrated 5 years of Bear Inns with a sumptuous black tie dinner, cooked by Nina Mutusanga (Great British Menu 2024).
The Swan and the wider team from Bear Inns team have been nominated and won a number of awards over recent years. From the Cheshire Life awards to Marketing Cheshire and even the Great British Pub Awards.
Whilst awards are a lovely recognition for the hard work our teams put in, it is seeing guests return time and again that really gets us going!
