Loyalty and long service celebrated at Royal Oak Hotel

The fact that Welshpool’s historic Royal Oak Hotel plays a special place in the working life of the market town cannot be denied when it is realised that seven team members have been there for between 10 and 25 years!

Now their loyalty has been recognised with the presentation of ten-year long service awards by The Coaching Inn Group, who took over the hotel from private owners back in 2015.

“There’s just something about the dear old oak that is enduring and endearing and we all get along so well together,” said General Manager, Laura Hindle, who was first employed front of house at the hotel as an 18-year-old back in 2007 and worked her way up through the ranks to eventually take over the top role three years ago.

One of the longest serving members of the team is Duty Manager and Receptionist, Esther Buckley, who joined the team back in 1998 when she was 24.

“No two days are ever the same here, we share a great camaraderie and it’s lovely to meet and greet all our regulars and guests from all over the world,” she said.

Ten-year awards also went to: Housekeeping Team Member Sue Ridgeway, who, like Esther, has been at the hotel for 25 years, Supervisor, Heidi Benbow, who has worked at the hotel for 20 years; Assistant Manager, Dave Fenner; Night Porter, David Allen; and Head Housekeeper, Christine Ridgeway.

Coaching Inn Chief Operating Officer, Adam Charity, congratulated the seven for their great service to the group and their town.

Pictured by Phil Blagg from left to right are Esther Buckley, Sue Ridgeway, Dave Fenner, Laura Hindle and Heidi Benbow.