Landlord from The Boot Inn prepares to say goodbye

Lee Kierman, owner of The Boot Inn in Radford Road, near Worcester, has spent 18 years at the helm and looks forward to finally having a weekend off.

He has been a well-known landlord across Worcestershire over the past 25 years, having owned The Raven in Claines and The New Inn in Bournheath, Bromsgrove, to name a few of the establishments under his belt.

"I need to get a life," he jokingly said.

"It is a 24/7 job where you wake up and do the breakfast service, then the lunch, dinner and work the nights and weekends.

"I haven't had a day's holiday in twelve months. 

"It feels right to move on after 25 years in Worcestershire - the weekends catch up with you."

Mr Kierman moved to Worcestershire 25 years ago from Lancashire and will be moving back to his home county when he leaves The Boot Inn. 

SPECIAL:Mr and Mrs Kierman will be joining their son when he moves back up north. (Image: Lee Keirman)He will be joined by his parents who have helped him from behind the scenes at The Boot Inn. 

"They came to Worcestershire to retire, but that never happened," he added.

"They both have helped me out and it was nice to work with people you trust.

"My mum does the breakfasts and my dad does odd jobs like dealing with the pipes.

"It has been great spending time with them."

Mr Kierman said "even though it may sound daft" one of his fondest memories of being a pub landlord was during the Covid pandemic. 

He said The Boot Inn hosted a welcome-back party after being closed for three months due to lockdown and the support from everyone was amazing.

"A big thank you must be said to the hundreds and hundreds of staff I have employed throughout the years and thousands upon thousands of customers.

"When I came to Worcestershire, I was a fish out of water, and everyone made me feel welcome."

Mr Kierman said a new manager will take over The Boot In once he leaves.