Lotte - da Boss

How long have you been at the Helm at The Albert ?
A long time! It was our 30th anniversary this year.

Did you always see yourself running a pub?
Well, my father worked in hospitality but the back-end, supplying stuff to the licence trade. So I kind of grew up in pubs and my school holidays would be spent in pubs, travelling round with my dad, trying to to stop him getting too drunk. But, I always thought I’d be a famous shoe-designer!

Why should people walk up the very steep hill to get here?Because even I’m constantly surprised every time I come through the door at quite how exciting it is - what a great buzz and how many fab people are in here. 

Favourite gig?
The Alash Ensemble, the Tuvan Throat Singers, the time when Sam Lee the folk singer turned up and there was a bit of an open mic thing going on with about forty different musicians, including Glen Tilbrook. 

What part does The Albert play in the surrounding community
We’ve always wanted the pub to be somewhere that anybody could come in and feel welcome, particularly if you’re young, female or single. So it’s a safe space. We always have lots of magazines and books, board games for kids to play with. It’s somewhere you can come and enjoy yourself, meet new friends, meet your neighbours, let the dog have a drink (of water) and be fully refreshed yourself. 

Favourite Pizza?
The Nice and Spicy, with extra spice.

Best thing about being the landlady?
When you are absolutely exhausted and then you go into town the next day and run into loads of people who say what a great night they had in your pub the night before. People will say, ‘Oh wow I saw such and such a band at yours, they were amazing!’ Or ‘We celebrated our mate’s wedding at yours last week!’ That’s so lush.

Tell us about the pub dogs.
We’ve always had at least one dog here; currently ruling the roost is Fernando - who is 14. There’s also Margot, who is lovely but can be a bit of a moody mare, and Baxter.

Most memorable moment in the pub?
So many, but one of my favourites was when folk duo Slow Club came and performed an open mic as Charles and Diana. And, the First time we won Stroud CAMRA Pub of the Year - that was pretty cool. 

What makes a good pub?
A good selection of drinks, a few, good rules but most of all it’s about having great staff - we’re really lucky to have (and have had) so many lovely staff who make everyone welcome.

Four words that sum up The Prince Albert?
An ever-changing kaleidoscope!

Fiona

Favourite drink? 
Cava with a dash of Chambord; otherwise a glass of Albarino. Both on ice - I know, sacrilege!

Favourite gig you’ve been to at The Albert? 
The Pictish Trail. Plus anything curated by Milligan Beaumont. I’m clearly drawn to the brilliantly bonkers.

Best thing about working at The Albert? 
The people: I love how you get to know people - the lovely locals. And also seeing visitors to the area discover and enjoy the uniqueness of the place. 

Something about you that would surprise us? 
I’ve been inside most prisons in the UK - in a work capacity, honest! And, I was the first person to interview Banksy (yep, I met him).

What song do you always put on when you get behind the bar? 
‘Creep’ by Radiohead. I’m cheerful like that…

Fiona’s website www.intheirwords.uk

Miles

How long have you been at the Albert and what’s the best thing?
A long time and the best thing is the landlady of course.

Favourite beer?
I love a tasty, citrusy IPA from Bristol Beer Factory and then there are the Church End delights such as Fallen Angel and Vicar's Ruin. Quality control does mean checking each beer is up to standard - we’ve been Stroud CAMRA Pub of the Year four times and for a good reason !

Tell us a bit about yourself
Born in Cheltenham, lived on a hippy commune in Wales as a kid. Moved back to Cheltenham when I was about 15 where my dad had a music venue called the Waikiki. I started working there and in a recording studio. I then started touring with bands. 

I lead a bit of a double life - as well as being at The Albert I’m also a tour manager and spend half my life looking after musicians and travelling the world ensuring that the show does go on. I work with Squeeze; Glenn Tilbrook, the lead singer, has a thirty-six-foot American motorhome and I drive that for him when he’s touring. I am very good at reversing big buses!

What did you want to be as a kid?
What I’m doing now! I spent a lot of time at festivals and going round music events with my dad, so I think it was in the blood. 

The Albert is famous for its live music - what makes it a place where musicians love to perform?
We always employ professional sound engineers and we have an amazing PA that we use, lent to us by D&B audio (one of the best speaker manufacturers in the world, whose only UK office is a few miles down the road in Nailsworth). Having that equipment changes the face of what we can achieve and who we can book - we’ve helped acts such as This Is The Kit and Katy J Pearson get to where they are today because they cut their teeth here. 

Favourite thing to eat from the menu?
I love all the pizzas - we’re very particular about quality, and the ingredients are from Barrel and Stone (https://www.barrelandstone.co.uk/) so are properly authentic. But, my favourite thing has gotta be our meat burger - The Rodburger.  The meat comes from cows that are grazing up on the common nearby and the recipe is a secret. It’s super-local, high-quality and absolutely delicious. 

Three words that describe the Albert?
Bohemian, fun and ….beer.  (“Beer isn’t a descriptive word Miles”) - GREAT beer is! 

What’s it like being a landlord
As anyone will tell you, I’m a people person - I love meeting people and chatting. There’s never a dull moment here. It’s a lifestyle choice more than a job - I couldn’t imagine doing anything else.

Grace

What’s your role at the pub?
I’m the cook. I’ve worked here just under three years. I did one shift as a runner but I was so awful at it (I’m very shy) that they moved me straight into the kitchen!

Thing you like doing best at work?
Sorting out the end shed. I like organising things. I like cleaning the grill too. I know, right?

Favourite pizza?
It’s got to be The Spaniard - it’s the yummiest imo. 

When you’re not at work you are…?
Walking or dancing. Or at a festival. 

What’s good about working here?
The people. The chill. But also the hectic atmosphere is fun too. And no-one takes themselves too seriously. Oh, and there’s a kid’s scooter in the courtyard that you can whizz around on.

Why should people walk up the hill to get here?
Good food, cute dogs, friendly staff and familiar faces.

Debbs

Favourite tipple?
I have been known to like a good rum.  

What’s the best thing about working here?
That's easy - working as part of a terrific team, which very often feels like a mad extended family. 

Favourite gig?
Beans on Toast. Particularly the time when he finished the gig and then decided to continue it in the courtyard by standing on top of the piano!

What do you love doing when not at the pub?
I have an adventurous spirit and love travelling, whether it is in my van, or hiking up the Himalayas. I'm happiest when I am outside walking or sat around a campfire.

Your funniest/most memorable moment at work?
It was pretty funny the night that Margot’s ten puppies decided to make a break for it, and we had to dash around rounding them up! 

*Margot is one of the pub dogs

Ford

Working at The Prince Albert is great because…..?
I like being on my feet all day, I get to be part of the community and….pork scratchings!

Song to play at end of shift?
It’s got to be Piano Man by Billy Joel [management have had words with Ford about his tunes….].

When you’re not working we can find you….
Painting landscapes, drawing cartoons, listening to music and trying to discover new places. 

Favourite gig?
The recent fundraiser night for Trans Ark Initiative - all the young peoples’ bands were amazing. I loved that.

Can I buy you a drink? What will you have?
A pint of Hattie Brown’s Old English, a Guinness or a Hofmeister - I’m not fussy. 

What makes The Prince Albert special?
Lotte and Miles. Everyone knows who they are. This place is a Stroud staple - everyone’s been here at some point. And the fact there’s always music. I don’t see any other pub working as hard as this one does to make good things happen. 

Funniest moment at work?
When me and Elliot were dancing behind the bar and my moves were so…interesting…that Lotte decided to film it. 

Sahara

How long have you been working here?
About three years. I started as a runner at 14 and then I started working in the kitchen. I’m 17 now. 

What do you love about working here?
Everyone gets along really well and all the other staff are lovely.

Favourite job at work? 
Making a Rock the Parma pizza and drizzling the balsamic glaze over it at the end.

Least favourite job at work
Changing the oil in the fryers! 

Favourite pizza?
Have to admit it’s one I’ve made up! Pizza base with a bit of Fi’s chilli on top, covered in cheese and garlic. 

Kitchen soundtrack?
I stick to Grace’s playlist - because it’s high-energy techno and it keeps me awake. 

Elliot

Fancy a drink? What can I get you?
Bottle of Thatchers Katy’s and it’s game on!

Tell us a bit about yourself.
Born in Torbaydos in mid 90’s to two DJs that loved all things music and festivals! Worked in bars in Devon since I was legally allowed and moved to Gloucester a few years ago and been working in local breweries and pubs since. Musician and songwriter.

What song would you put on loud at the end of a night?
The Cat Empire - How To Explain (Anniversary Edition) 

Best thing about working at The Albert?
Superb team - I really love how the pub supports their people - superb environment, superb food and drink, superb locals, superb music. Doesn’t get much better than this.

Why visit Stroud and why walk up the massive hill to The Albert?
Stroud has a truly unique community that are super passionate about all things music and art forms, which is something people must experience. I walk that hill for most shifts and although it does truly suck quite a lot, a delightful pint at the top makes it so worth it!

Pebble

Who is Pebble Daisy? 
Purple hair and leopard print staples, eccentric, flamboyant, rock star, alternative - I like to think I fit in with the décor of The Albert!

What’s your role at The Albert?
I work behind the bar and sometimes put on events here showcasing upcoming locals bands and musicians. (Pebble has also played here with her band on a few occasions!)

What’s on your work playlist?
For a boost of energy to get through close it’s Jobseeker by Sleaford Mods. On opening shift, I would play mine and Fi’s favourite, Here You Come Again by Dolly!

Best thing about working here? 
How full of creative people and happenings it is. Working the bar watching amazing bands and laughing and dancing behind the bar with the staff who also all just happen to be journalists, musicians, DJs, avid travellers and just incredibly kind people. Lotte is a huge inspiration to me, with how passionate she is about community and understanding artists. 

When not at the Albert we can find you….? 
Reading, going to gigs, writing songs, collaborating with local creatives and sleeping! 

Best gig? 
Local punk band Chinese Burn. 

To see/listen to Pebble and her band visit https://linktr.ee/pebbledaisy

Ottie

Profile coming soon!