Andy Birss, Landlord of the Dartmouth Arms
What’s it like behind the bar down this end of town?
Good fun! We have great crowds, a pub quiz, homemade food and one of the best views in Dartmouth! Our position is a great plus – we have Bayard’s Cove as our beer garden! Visitors make a beeline for the fort so they have to pass us.
How long have you worked here? Two years.
What is special about the place?
There’s always a great atmosphere in here. It’s a pub for all seasons! In the summer the door’s open and people are in and out taking their drinks onto the cove. In the winter it’s a lovely, homely bar with the lights low and the fire blazing.
You mention your position near Dartmouth’s historic cove, do you have a responsibility to keep it clean?
Absolutely. It’s only plastic glasses allowed out there and we take the job of clearing away the rubbish very seriously. We don’t just focus on our own litter either, we work together with neighbouring businesses such as Bayard’s Cove Inn and Rockfish to make sure none of our customers leave anything behind.
Any downsides to running the business?
It’s not an easy job; there is a lot of work that goes into running a pub that I don’t think people realise, but it is worth it when you see people enjoying themselves with a drink in their hand.
What is a typical day for you then?
I take the kids to schools at 8.30am, then straight here to answer the phone and take deliveries. I’m in the kitchen until school pickup, then back here again in the evening. My other half is a nurse and we work quite well around each other. The kids get to see us both which is the most important thing.
What would you recommend on the menu?
The burgers – they are completely homemade and delicious. We are, of course, famous for our pizzas and tex mex dishes which are as popular as ever.
Do you have themed evenings?
On a Monday we have darts, on a Tuesday the pub quiz and Wednesday night is curry night. The quiz really is great fun – there’s always good banter and it’s very relaxed. I don’t read the questions out on a mic; I go round the tables so people who’ve just come in for a drink or a quiet bit of dinner aren’t bombarded by my multiple choices!
Do you have plans for the pub in 2016?
Well we are going to do a bit of refurbishment. It won’t be anything major: some painting, new seating and flooring – all whilst keeping the character.
Have you had anyone famous through the doors?
When the Coroner was being filmed in the town we had Claire Goose and Matt Bardock in here playing the pub quiz! I didn’t realise until someone said to me “those two should be good at the TV round”!
Do you fit in any hobbies?
I’m into my sport and do like a round of golf. I help sponsor local adult and children’s teams as much as I can. I recently did the Bristol half marathon. I don’t usually run but drunkenly agreed to it and 13 miles later I’d raised a thousand pounds for Macmillan.
First published By the Dart December 2015 Issue
