The Lazy Landlord has always been more than four walls and a bar. It’s a place built on warmth, conversation and the belief that the simplest things in life are often the most meaningful. When people walk through the door, I want them to feel instantly at ease, welcomed, included, and part of something quietly special.
I’m Joe, and this little pub has been part of my life since 2016. I was born in Sheffield on the longest night of the year, but I’ve spent almost all my life in Wallasey. My childhood was warm and free, shaped by a close family and by people like my dad and my grandad, both of who taught me that if you’re going to do something, you should do it properly.
I fell into hospitality almost by accident, working in various jobs, then eventually finding my way into a friend’s hotel. That’s where I first worked a bar and realised how much I loved this line of work. Weddings, birthdays, all kinds of moments, being part of people’s lives and making their day special was such a privilege. I’ve always enjoyed making others feel comfortable and welcome, even before I understood that hospitality was where I belonged.
When I first started at The Lazy Landlord, I couldn’t have imagined how important it would become. Over the years, this pub and its community has helped shape me, calm me, challenge me, and support me. I’ve met people here who genuinely changed my life: Corky with his sci-fi recommendations, John helping me with my allotment, and Andy, who quietly showed us all what an exceptional human being can look like. There are so many more. It’s impossible to explain fully, but the people who drink here have had as much impact on me as I’ve had on the pub, I’m truly grateful to be a part of this community.
When Lenny retired in 2023 and I took over, it felt like the most natural step in the world and also one of the biggest responsibilities and challenges I’ve ever taken on. Lenny and I share similar values: fairness, kindness, community, and the sense that pubs like this matter in a way that goes beyond business. I’ve never been driven by money, and I’m still not. What matters to me is maintaining a welcoming space, looking after the beer properly, and supporting independent breweries. Micropubs are the last real independent pubs left, and I’m proud that ours continues that tradition.
I care deeply about the quality of what I serve. Real ale is a living thing, it needs attention, respect, and knowledge. The best compliment anyone can give me is that the beers spot on, it means I’ve done my job properly. I’ve also brought in some imported keg beers and UK craft beer options, small changes that keep the pub moving forward while still honouring its roots. I don’t want to lose the character of the place, only enhance it gently, in ways me and Lenny talked about for years. Some of those plans are still on the way.
My own mental health journey has shaped the way I run the pub, too. I’ve lived with anxiety and depression for as long as I can remember, and in recent years I’ve come to understand more about my ADHD, autism, and OCD traits. Learning about my neurodiversity and how my brain is wired has helped me understand why I’ve always felt a bit different and also help me overcome some of the problems I’ve faced.
But I still have my problems, I get overwhelmed, I miss social cues, I can be anxious or distracted, it can take me a while to get everything done and I always have too much on the go at any one time. But my neurodiversity also makes me strong, it gives me my creativity, my deep thoughtfulness, fairness and honesty. I also have a lot of patience, a lot of empathy, and a genuine care for other people and the world around us.
Glastonbury has been a huge influence on me too, I’ve been to 13 of the last 14 festivals, my first being 2008 and I’ve worked the last five on the bin-painting crew which has been an amazing experience. The spirit of Glastonbury, peace, love, fairness, respect & equality has shaped a lot of who I am and how I try to treat people.
Because of all this, I’ve always wanted the pub to be a safe and comfortable space for everyone who walks in. Somewhere calm and cosy. Somewhere you can talk easily or sit quietly. Somewhere you can meet new friends, or simply not feel alone. A little break from the chaos outside. A place that feels friendly, fair, warm, respectful, and human.
So my ethos is simple:
Be kind, be fair, treat people well, and take pride in what you do. Work hard, party hard, and remember that life is richer when people look after one another. This pub has helped me find my place in the world, and I hope that anyone who steps inside can feel even a little bit of that same comfort and connection.
It’s not just a pub to me, it’s a community, a safe space, a social hub, and a little corner of the world where things feel just a bit gentler and I’m truly proud to run it.