In his 22 years as a landlord Bob Patterson has seen many local pubs vanish from the area. But despite a number of challenges through the years, he's proud to see his pub still serving the local community today.
Construction of the The Rosehill Tavern, in Wallsend, started soon before the Second World War. Bob explained that at the start of the war building works stopped and the site became an air raid shelter.
However the works were later completed. And now generations of Geordies have grown up with the pub at the centre of it's community.
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Bob, 71, said: "The amount of pubs around us that have gone over the years - there must have been about half a dozen. But we're still standing and I think that's down to the team and the management. We've got a good set of punters who are really happy with everything.
"I've lived round here all my life and I love the place. I used to come in here when I was a young'un. I saw a sign above the door one day and I decided to give it a go."
Bob took over The Rosehill Tavern, which is owned by community pub group, Admiral Taverns, 22 years ago and now runs the pub with managers Paul and Tracey Gosling. In that time they have held many events for the community and even organise day trips for the locals.
Bob has had a number of happy memories of the pub, but explained that one is particularly special to him. He said: "All the New Years and the special times we've had at the pub through the years have been special. We celebrated my mother's 80th at this pub. She's passed away now so I treasure those memories.
"You remember all the fun days that we've had here and how all the punters that come in get involved."
He added: "Of course we've had things that haven't worked out that we've tried over the years, like football teams, but generally speaking there's always fresh people coming in and it becomes a bit like a second home to a lot of people."
Manager Paul, 63, also has fond memories of his 13 years at the pub and one of his happiest memories in that time is when Ross Murray, from Wallsend, took part in the 2012 Olympics and everyone at the pub got behind him as he ran in the 1500m heats.
Paul said: "We put flags up all along to pub to support the local lad, we did radio interviews and we all got behind him, it was fantastic."
But there's also been a number of challenges during Bob's time behind the bar, including changes to licencing laws which came into effect in 2021 which allowed pubs, bars and hotels to extend their hours, the smoking ban which prevented smoking indoors in public places, the Covid pandemic and the cost of living crisis.
Bob said: "There's been some radical changes over the years and there's been some big hits to the industry in that time. When they changed the licencing laws to virtually 24/7 and they done away with the 10.30 and 11pm finishes. But the biggest one was when they did the smoking ban.
"It hit pubs, clubs and bingo halls and it probably took quite a few years to recover from that. I know it was for everyone's better health and it is better now. But at the time it virtually killed the trade overnight.
"After that it was the pandemic, we were shut for virtually two years with that and we had to recover from that."
He added: "It's a lot of hard work to keep the place going and a lot of expense these days. It's very difficult with the cost of things like electricity and Sky TV. It's a lot to keep it the way it should be."
Asked what it is that makes the pub a success, Bob and Paul agree that "running the pub the old way" and knowing the customers is key.
Bob said: "People come in here for a good pint and we have events on like karaoke and the bingo and people love it. A lot of old-timers come in and it's probably quite rare now that you find pubs that operate like this.
"A lot of pubs are wine bars etc but this pub is very much a local community pub."
Paul added: "It's a pub stood on it's own bit of land in a working class area and we do a lot for the locals. We have punters club, golf society, darts teams, live music, karaoke, family fun days, race trips, mystery tours and it's all the locals who help us run it all.
"It's a good old fashioned pub. We get people who come in with their nana's and grandad's as youngsters and by the time they turn 18 they know everyone in the pub and they've continued to come in.
"Me and Tracey are known as Uncle Paul and Aunty Tracey to them all. Everyone thinks I've got about 300 kids because since they were bairns they've always called us that. Even when they're 18 and into their 20s they still call us that.
"But that's the type of pub that we are, everyone knows each other and it's a lush atmosphere."
In honour of their work over the years Bob, Paul and Tracey recently received recognition from Admiral Taverns for over 20 years of success.
Bob said: "Paul and Tracey run it now for me and they know everybody because they're local too. Everyone is friendly with everyone and the pub is ran the old way."
He added: "It's great that it's survived all these years. When you look around there's so many pubs that are gone now and there's houses built on the land now or they're just no longer here.
"I remember peddling around this place on my bike when I was about seven-year-old. When I saw an opportunity to take the pub on I thought I'd give it a go and I'm pleased I did."
Stephen Birkett, Business Development Manager at Admiral Taverns, said: "I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate Bob, and of course the fantastic Paul and Tracey, for such an amazing accomplishment and reaching this milestone! As a team, they have risen to every challenge and continue to take this pub from strength to strength.
"It is clear that they are greatly appreciated and loved by their local community. At Admiral we take great pride in working with passionate licensees that are committed to striving for excellence and dedicated to creating fantastic community hubs. Bob and his team are a fantastic example of this, and we can't wait to see what the future holds for The Rosehill Tavern."
