THE general manager of a Test Valley pub is marking his 25th year in charge.

The Luzborough sits on the corner of Botley Road and Luzborough Lane and according to general manager Tim George, it’s ‘usually really busy’.

Tim, 47, says despite his long stay at the pub, serving the community never gets old.

He said: “It’s a lovely pub, that’s why I have been here for so long, and serving everyone here never gets old.

“I started here 25 years ago now and managed to work my way up.

“I have done all of the odd jobs and find myself here, which is brilliant. Usually it’s a really busy pub, we get our customers from all over really, but we do have a great mix of locals.”

Tim is supported by 26 staff from the front and back of the house, and says it’s his team that make sure the customers always leave happy , and look forward to coming back to the pub.

He said: “My staff are brilliant, we have a mix of younger staff, who may go off to University, and more experienced people, I think you need that.

“As well as our staff, it’s our menu and prices that make sure we never lose a customer.

“I think that’s the way most pubs are going now; if you want to stay competitive, you need to offer a range of everything that people want.

“That’s why we are busy throughout the day, because we get some in for an early lunch, and then people come in for an afternoon drink.

“We’re also not too far from the industrial estate so a lot of people do wander in.”

Tim said that the pub doesn’t have any specific targets going forward, but that he wants to focus on the pub’s food to make sure patrons are happy.

He added: “25 years seems like a long time when you say it, but as long as our food is good, we know our drinks are great, then we’ll be here for a long time to come and hopefully people keep enjoying our atmosphere.”

Michael McLaughlin, 65, said he has been drinking there for around 30 years.

Michael, from North Baddesley, said: “I’m always impressed, I think the reason I keep coming back is just down to how friendly and peaceful it is here.

“On top of that, I used to work here years ago, so that helps!”

His wife Sandy, 65, added: “The only other thing is the prices of everything, the food is very good but the value of it all is brilliant. Around Christmas it’s so busy.”