Redditch's Longest Serving Publican Celebrates 25 Years Behind The Bar

Redditch’s longest serving publican, Mark Callaghan of The Gate Hangs Well in Headless Cross, has been awarded a prestigious Dedicated Service Award by Heineken owned Star Pubs. It was given to him by Area Manager, Tom Maddison, in recognition of the contribution he has made to the community during his 25 years behind the bar.

The Gate Hangs Well is Mark’s first and only pub. Born and bred in Redditch, prior to taking on The Gate Hangs Well, he used to work in IT for Xerox. For five years he also had a part-time job at the pub. So, when the lease became available, taking it on seemed the right thing to do at the right time.

Mark explains: “I was sitting with my wife having a drink with the previous landlords when they mentioned that they would be putting it on the market. My wife turned to me and made an off the cuff remark. She said, if you were made redundant you could buy it. Spookily, the following week I was made redundant and so I did just that. I haven’t regretted my decision. I love my work and seeing the community evolve; being a part of Redditch residents’ lives – witnessing customers socialise with one another, get married, have children and then seeing their own children come in and buy their first drink. Of course, there are the sadder occasions too when customers pass away. The constant however is the pub.”

Mark has employed around 20 people in the years he has been running the pub including the children of customers. Today it’s a one-man band with the help of his wife.

Since taking on the community local, Mark, has boosted The Gate Hangs Well’s cask offering, with 50% of turnover now coming from cask sales. The pub has five ales available constantly with a sixth occasional guest ale. The pub appears in The 2026 Good Beer Guide and has been recognised by CAMRA previously as Pub of the Season. Mark was also recently awarded Fellowship of British Institute of Innkeeping.

As well as a great choice of cask ale, The Gate Hangs Well offers draught premium lager, stout and cider and a selection of cocktails and wine.

Mark was given the nickname Harry by regulars, named after Harry Callaghan – the lead character in Clint Eastwood’s Dirty Harry. As a result, the pub’s food offer is called Harry's Kitchen. It includes snacks, sandwiches and traditional pub food, available Monday to Thursday evenings from 6:00 until 8:00pm and on Friday lunchtime. A selection of filled rolls is available at other times.

Says Harry: “We’re only a small one room pub. The focus on Friday and Saturday nights for us in on drinkers, which ensure a great atmosphere. Sometimes there is only standing room in the pub.”

The pub hosts the longest running quiz in town every Sunday from 9pm with no restrictions on team sizes. It also has a dart board and darts and domino teams.

Mark’s wife Karen helps out part-time in the pub and sells her own hand-made cards, gifts and jam in a corner of the bar.

Says Mark: “I feel so lucky to run The Gate Hangs Well, which is a real hub of the community. The best bit for me is my customers, many of whom have become friends. So, thank you to all our regulars for making The Gate Hangs Well the pub it is today and for all your support over the years. I’d also like to thank Karen, my wife, for her encouragement and all her support over the years. As for the future, I have no intention of retiring any time soon.”

Says Star Pubs Area Manager, Tom Maddison: “The quality of beer and atmosphere in the pub is fantastic and reasons why regulars come back time and again. Mark is very much the face of The Gate Hangs Well. He’s a traditional host serving customers himself. I wish Mark and Karen many happy years at The Gate Hangs Well as I am sure do their regulars. He’s built a loyal following and is doing a fantastic job. He is a real community star, deserving of recognition.”