WITH a combined 40 years experience in the industry, two new operators at the Western Tavern are looking to change things up.
Danny Scally of Adelaide has been appointed as general manager, with Simon Ellis appointed as his right-hand man in an assistant manager role.
Mr Scally said after 10 years working in clubs he was looking forward to a change of pace.
“I worked at Waterloo Station in Paralowie as general manager for 16 months, prior to that I spent 10 years in clubs and before that I worked for 12 years in hospitality,” Mr Scally said.
“Waterloo Station was another pub under the Spirit Hotels company, as is the Western Tavern – it was a popular pub with high turnover so it was great experience for my new role as general manager at ‘The Tav.’
“Spirit Hotels own 90 pubs nationwide, mostly in Queensland with only seven in South Australia, and they are certainly the most professional company I’ve worked for.”
While previous general manager Cheryl Neale was at the helm for a decade, Simon Ellis is a familiar face at the Western Tavern.
“Simon worked here for 13 years previously and was appointed to assistant manager around the same time I started,” Mr Scally said.
“We both have a vision for the place and everything is under review – happy hours, promotions, everything.
“We will unveil an all new menu for the bistro and on Friday’s I’m planning on getting behind the barbecue – we will have eight meat trays up for grabs on Friday night’s.”
Mr Scally said he was settling in well.
“I’m a country boy at heart, I grew up in Murray Bridge,” he said.
“My family are still living in Adelaide so I travel back to visit on days off.”