My name is Giles Fry, and I’m the owner of Snug Bars. I launched the first Snug Bars site in Cambridge just over ten years ago with my business partner, Ashley Moore, and since then have gone on to open ten bars across the home counties.

With a background in hospitality, having worked at TGI Fridays and Coffee Republic, my heart lies in the industry. I live with my wife and two young children in St Albans, not forgetting Badger, my English Springer Spaniel.

My monthly diary entries will take you through the unique challenges and opportunities which lie in the hospitality industry and the many unique issues a customer facing business can come across. With everything from licensing rules, new openings, staffing and much more. In a year where the country and world has changed, there exists a certain amount of nervousness in all markets, not helped with the continued pressure from rising costs around food, drink and property taxes.

I make sure I am constantly monitoring the industry as a whole to ensure The Snug remains on trend and continues to attract as many customers as possible through its doors. This year has seen increased competition in hiring team members and with the introduction of the Living Wage and Brexit just on the horizon, this situation is expected to only get worse. The one constant in my business is my vision and values. When the world seems to be going crazy, its good to keep in mind that Snug Bars is all about its people.

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