29/11/2025
Hi all my name is Luci Head I have been running the Rickards Arms since Robert Owen Otley finally took his deserved retirement. From a carer in nursing for 10 year to be given the opportunity to run a pub was a journey i decided to jump on board with and was very excited. Just by making people smile, feel good about themselves, listening & when you feel you have just been part of someone's day even for half an hour knowing they felt valued, that they are someone or they felt just alive, acknowledge and not on ground hog day and literally off load anything and not be judged its good amazing for our souls. Also I love to offload too i loved our mornings of moaning with my regulars 🤣🤣🤣 I thank Rob for encouraging me letting me know he had faith in me I could succeed & for helping me when i needed guidance or knowledge. Its been a journey and its had more highs than lows for sure . Its given me an huge insight and knowledge which is now wisdom of running a local community pub which is a business but also a community of family a 2nd home to many and a safe place for people. I have made some amazing friends for life and learnt many things I have never really thought about before what keeps a pub running and why. Its not just full of drunks it full of lots of good souls getting together creating the atmosphere of family & friends, a safe place and where anyone can just be themselves also knowing they are valued as a customer and part of the community and they matter and all of us together make a difference to each other day. I thank the locals for helping me on my journey also without them and there support and input i probably wouldn't of got this far. Just over a year of running Rickards and being part of a community I'm not from i feel blessed & it has been heart warming as there are lots of good souls all around and im glad I had the opportunity to be around these type of people on my journey.
This evening I made a huge descion which has been pulling my heart strings in different directions to finally make the descion of resigning from Rickards. I am extremely proud of myself for running to the best of my ability with all my determination ti succeed, how far I could go & make a difference and keep the good reputation Rob kept and respected the pubs community atmosphere of a welcoming dog friendly pub, where you can relax enjoy ales and the beer garden and open fire. Open mic nights , quiz nights , theme events & pool with the locals, karaoke nights , & of course juke box vibes where everyone is singing along together in a happy place. Running a pub is 24/7 you have to put your life and soul into it but also benefit from it and be able to make that difference but being able to action it with whats only obtainable has been hard & also very scary at times.
All 22 of my amazing staff i would like to thank and the ones who came on this journey with me from the start. You are all amazing individuals and I value you all and you should be proud of yourselves especially if still behind the bar . You make a difference in many lives by just being yourselves, its not an easy job at all not for the faint hearted. Everyone wanted a job in the Rickards as it wasnt like being in work clock watching your hours, it was a pleasure to spend time with some really good people, Everyone single one of my lovely staff has a gift there personalities & ora you create around your shift & alls shifts were different bringing a fantastic service to customers where they voukd relax and enjoy there drinks soI thank you so much.
I would like to thank my partner Jamie Arthur for being by my side throughout this journey being patient and understanding with me when I was constantly on pub mode. Left to defend for himself at home after his busy day at work as im needed & may of felt the pub came before him, never declined getting stuck in with anything that needed to be sorted in the pub or with public & just creating good vibes all round.
The next chapter now awaits and for now I'm going to embrace family time for a while which is the most important thing to me, take time for myself as if your all fuled out both ends your no good to anyone around you or yourself I have absolutely loved the journey i have been on & it has given me cherished memories i will keep close to me always. My partner & family need me not half a version . I can't juggle both without neglecting one or the other you have to have your eye on the ball at all times in a pub environment , its a very rewarding job when you know everyone is happy around you & invest your life into it and grow with the business as a family and that is amazing. Thank you to all our customers it has been a pleasure, to my local brewerys working together as a community keeping local business alive & being blessed with a top rate service always ready at hand for those emergency supplies, anyone who had any involvement with the pub thank you.
I wish all the best for the future of Rickards its an amazing pub and has huge potential.
Please feel free to pop by tomorrow evening any of my lovely customers & colleagues, my amazing staff members , anyone who is part of the Rickards he lovely part my journey on a high & raise a glass to making some awesome memories. I will miss you all lots and thank you for welcoming me and supporting me in your community 😊
x2 off my bucket list re playing out.✅️ Peggy Mitchell scenes some of the finest moments 🤣 with Phil not far behind 🤣
And Hi**er 👀
