Gary and Dawn are as charming and unpretentious as their lovely pub, The Marksman. Beautiful daughter Marlowe sits in as we congratulate them on 7 years of charming, unpretentious localness.

For this weeks Cogs recommends we are collaborating  with YouLikeWeLove.

Gary & Dawn on The Marksman:

“When we first bought the pub I’d say it was ‘a diamond geezer in the rough’. I was the only woman in sight in a smoky loud-mouthed working man’s local. We knew we were facing a personal journey… and that was exciting.

“A pub is a slice of history with its own micro-community… We pretty much built on what it was. It’s still a comfortable place to enjoy a drink and mark events in our lives. We just keep the doors open, the lights on, the bar polished and the limes fresh.

“Our customers are diverse. We like to keep it real by providing attentive service to the old boys in their flat caps equally to the sophisticated foodies, the famous musicians, everyone. We’re blessed with a deep customer loyalty and we never take that for granted.

“I still take time to wash the eyeglasses of one of my local old boy customers when he sits at the bar half-blind with his pint of Guinness. The most satisfying part of the job is shaking the hands of a large group as they leave; there is nothing more rewarding than that.”

Gary on Dawn:

“We make a good team. We’re constantly talking about the business. Dawn has a a sense of adventure and she’s taken on the role of public house Landlady and re-interpreted it. She’s constantly getting feedback from customers and fine-tuning what we do but her persuasive smile is her real strength. That keeps me going.”

Dawn on Gary:

“Gary’s got energy and a passion for people. He shares my instincts about hiring creative people with integrity and an interest in the community that is our pub. We love our staff. We all work hard and maintain a good sense of humor.”

A regular on The Marksman:

“It’s just a proper pub, I love it. It’s a good mix of people and exactly how I like it.”

The Marksman is a local pub that does great food, not a gastropub. Sunday lunch is popular so book ahead. The music is decent, the piano’s in tune and there’s a fair bit going on upstairs if you are local. Have a look.

The Marksman is precisely here (254 Hackney Road, E2 7SJ) and on twitter here.

(Bookings@MarksmanPub.com)

• Categories
• Cogs Story