A bartender from popular gay venue The Fox Bar, Birmingham has been rewarded with an ‘Oscar of the pub industry’.

Hilli Rishworth of the Punch Taverns owned bar has been crowned ‘Bar Person of the Year’ at the 2008 Publican Awards on 18th March.

Hilli, who has worked as bar tender for the last 22 years, was presented with her award by celebrity guests Alan Carr and Justin Lee Collins from the Friday Night Project at a glittering awards ceremony at the Grosvenor Hotel in London.

Since taking on her role at the Fox in 1999, Hilli has helped to make the bar one of city’s most successful gay venues and is responsible for helping to pioneer the now national event - Miss Gay UK - which attracts huge media interest. 

Hilli explains how she got the bug: “When I was 18, I worked as a cloakroom attendant and had to cover for someone behind the bar. As soon as I’d pulled my first pint I thought ‘this is really for me!’

“When I started working at the Fox, I was determined that it wasn’t going be just another watering hole. I wanted to create a real community bar.  The community that drink here are very close knit so it’s about creating a really safe, comfortable environment.”

Hilli was commended by the judges for ‘demonstrating commitment, professionalism and enthusiasm in a challenging environment’.  As well as customer service, Hilli’s role also includes staff training, promotions, advertising, event management, health and safety and security.

She adds: “I think customers would say I won the award because I really care and treat each customer as an individual, really respecting the environment they’re in.”

Commenting on her win she added: “Not in a million years did I expect to win.  I was in total shock when they called my name out. I still get a natural honour high from doing my job so to win an award at this level is truly an amazing honour.”

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