'Longest-serving' Kidderminster publican Richard Burgess retires

Richard Burgess, aged 65, moved to the town back in 1985 from Hereford and established himself as a well-known local figure over the years.

He started his Kidderminster pub career at The Red Man on Blackwell Street, which he ran for 23 years. Mr Burgess says he helped turned it into one of most popular pubs in the town.

He then spent three years at the Land Oak, on Birmingham Road, before running the Hare and Hounds in Shenstone.

Richard Burgess at The Red Man pub on Blackwell Street circa 1986

He later ran the Harriers Arms and Aggborough Suite for a couple of years before a final stint at the helm of The Cavalier on Tennyson Way, which lasted nearly six years. Mr Burgess retired on Sunday (June 6).

Before moving to Kidderminster, he worked in numerous pubs in Hereford and was assistant manager at The Spread Eagle for two years. In total, he's spent 45 years working in the pub industry. 

He said each pub was a "different project" and feels he left each one in a "better position."

When asked which pub was his favourite, he said: "It's got to be The Red Man.

"That's my baby - I was in my late 20s when I took it on. I nurtured it and took it to being one of the most popular pubs in the area.

"All the Shuttle reporters used to use it, all the bankers and accountants used it. I took it over on 11/11/85 Armistice Day - that's a day to remember."

Mr Burgess behind the bar at The Red Man circa 1986

He was previously chairman of the licensees committee and on the Midlands council for the British Institute of Innkeeping. He has also collected a number of awards for his pubs over the years.

Mr Burgess added: "I'm missing the people but not the hours. It's as hard as its ever been at the moment with table service. It's certainly not the trade I came into."

Mr Burgess says he hasn't got many plans for his retirement yet - but will be taking his German Shepherd on seaside walks.

His proud son James Burgess, aged 34, says his dad is one of the last of his kind. He said: "It's the end of an era. I don't think with how the pub trade is going my dad's record will ever be beaten."

Richard Burgess receives a T shirt commemorating his retirement

Former Shuttle editor Clive Joyce said: "He deserves a well earned rest with all the changes that have gone on in the pub industry in recent times.

"When I came to Kidderminster he was the licensee of The Red Man. We found it was a good place to retreat to on all occasions. We used to have leaving drinks there, birthdays, any excuse to get to The Red Man. We were always made very welcome."