The well-known Walsall Pub, Arbor Lights, has offered to help neighbouring charity Walsall Deaf People’s Centre by giving its deaf volunteer bar manager Andrew Freeman some advice and guidance on how a successful bar should be run. 

The Centre has been based in Lichfield Street for 65 years and has its own licensed bar which is a centre for the social life of deaf people whose only language is sign language.

Punch Taverns, which owns Arbor Lights, was contacted by a relationship manager from Walsall Council and asked if they could help the Deaf People’s Centre as it seeks to improve the quality of its social club.

Punch business relationship manager, Jacqueline Frow, said: “We were really pleased to be approached by the Council in training Andrew. He already had experience in working behind a bar so we provided him with training on topics including cellar management, pricing, promotion and event planning, to help him manage the Deaf People’s Centre’s bar efficiently .We are also planning to take Andrew to some other Punch pubs in the area, such as the Crown & Cushion in West Bromwich, to give him as much experience as possible.”

Leader of Walsall Council, Councillor Mike Bird, said: “This is just one example of how Walsall Council supports the voluntary sector and we are pleased to be able to assist in this way. 

“Not only does the Deaf People’s Centre benefit if the facility is well run, but the volunteer Andrew Freeman is helped to maximise his potential.”

Ken Whittingham, chief operating officer at Walsall Deaf People’s Centre, commented: “Our social club provides a vital resource for the deaf community in Walsall and we wanted to give Andrew an understanding of how to run the bar efficiently.

“Our first step is to show the community how training can help improve services. We welcome the support from Punch Taverns in sharing its best practice. We are planning to use our social club as an opportunity for young Deaf people to acquire NVQs in bar service and hospitality.”