THERE’S no such thing as a racing certainty in life, except maybe in the case of the staff and customers at this week’s Pub of the Week, the Brewers Arms in St John’s, Worcester.

And that’s because Mark And Debie Daniels, who have run the popular inn for 12 years, own racehorses, along with a syndicate of 10 customers.

Mark said: “We have owned two racehorses over the last few years and are in the process of buying another as I write.

“Our syndicate is made up of people who met in the pub and you all share the interest – it’s great fun.

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“In fact, that’s the best thing about running the Brewers – the great customers that we have.

“They age from 18 to 90 and we’ve seen children come in with parents and now come in as adult customers themselves. It’s great.

“We have a real community feel here at the pub and interesting characters – that’s our favourite thing about being here.

“And not forgetting we also have a great number of students using the pub too now that they will be back shortly on their studies.”

Mark and Debie are ably assisted by a five-strong staff – Becca (“who’s been with us for 11 years”), Kayleigh, Jade, Paul and Ben – and the team were kept busy by the coronavirus-enforced lockdown, trying to work out how best to rearrange things for the eventuality that the doors would reopen.

It helps that there is a large beer garden with plenty of space for 15 well-distanced benches and a recently built covered area which houses five more tables, as well as a patio to the front giving more seating.

Mark said: “Outdoor space after the pandemic has become a must and we are lucky to have it.”

Customers’ favourites are Carling lager and Wye valley HPA and although the pub doesn’t offer a cooked menu, freshly made rolls, local pork pies and “lovely fresh Black Country pork scratchings” are all on offer for the peckish.

Mark said: “The biggest challenge we’ve met in our time here is without doubt the coronavirus pandemic.

“To wake up on the morning after pubs were forced to close is the strangest thing that’s ever happened. It was the first time in our 12 years we hadn’t opened the door to trade, and the uncertainty of what lay ahead was the biggest worry, as it was for everyone.

“We need to get through it together as a community and city and hopefully everyone will get be OK.

“It’s difficult to come up with a negative for working a the Brewers – we’ve been here 12 years, so that says it all really. It is a 24/7 job, in fact it’s a way of life.

“I think sometimes people may not see you behind the bar and think you’re not actually doing anything.

“But it’s more than serving – that’s the enjoyable bit. There is still loads to be done before the drinks get poured!”

Mark’s suggestion for the perfect hangover cure? “A good English breakfast” And then, appropriately enough for a member of a racehorse-owning syndicate, “get back on the horse – what makes you bad makes you better!”

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