Published at 15:57, Tuesday, 07 August 2012

MIKE Fallon, 60, is well-known as the owner of the Theatre Bar in Cavendish Street, Barrow.

IN CHARGE: Mike Fallon, owner of the Theatre Bar, Barrow

What was your first job?

I had a stall in the market when I was 14 where I sold nylon remnants which I got from Bolton. It was quite profitable. Then I served my time as a plumber.

How did you get your current job?

After serving my time as a plumber, when I got to about 40, my knees were playing up a bit. I used to frequent the Wheatsheaf pub and it came up for tenancy, so I thought I’d take the pub over. I was there for 17 years and then the opportunity came up for me to buy my own pub – the Theatre Bar – in 2005. I’ve been here seven years now.

Describe the business you own in one sentence.

It’s a karaoke fun pub.

How many hours do you work a week?

One hundred – easily. When I say working, it’s more that. I’ve got to be here overseeing things than doing all the actual manual labour.

How many people are you responsible for?

I have 12 part-time staff.

What is your greatest achievement?

I’ve been self-employed since I was 21 – even before that actually. I think my greatest achievement is being able to find my own premises – the Theatre Bar – and make it into a viable concern, which it is.

What gives you the biggest work buzz?

We get different crowds on Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays, but they all come and enjoy themselves every week. One of the reasons is that they know I won’t stand any messing about. They know I don’t allow any swearing or misbehaviour, which gives the older people confidence they can come and enjoy themselves without fear of being hustled and bustled and whatever.

What is your motto at work?

I don’t have one.

What is the best thing about being a boss?

I’ve always been my boss in a sense, even when I worked for somebody. That’s why I had to go and work for myself in the end because I’m not one to be told what to do. But I must be good at telling people what to do because the majority of my staff have been here since day one. We have not got a great staff turnover.

What is the worst thing about being a boss?

My missus (wife Sue) says to me that I need to take a step back, but I can’t. Obviously, I don’t have to be there all the time, but I feel like I do. If you take your finger off the pulse, you never know what might happen.

What is your favourite website?

I’m not computer literate. My wife is in charge of all the accounts and all the paperwork.

What was your first car?

It was an Isetta 300 with a BMW engine and a door that opened at the front. I was just thinking about this because I saw one in the paper that sold for £22,000 the other day. I got rid of mine and wish I never did because they’re worth a fortune now.

How do you relax?

I follow Barrow Rugby League at home and away.

Every second week me and a few friends have a day out at an away game and when they’re at home, we go to the match.

What is the best thing about doing business in Cumbria?

No matter where you go in Cumbria, people want to have a bit of fun. They’re all friendly people. And they’re not frightened to spend a bob or too, either.

If we arrived at your office today, what item might we be surprised to find on your desk?

The racing paper.

Something your employees would be surprised to find out about you ...

That I’m not as rich as they think I am.

Published by http://www.nwemail.co.uk