An Hour With An Indie

Philip is a Co-Founder of the very popular restaurant Honest Burgers. Now with 37 sites up and down the country, the business has focussed on doing one thing very well - british style homemade burger and chips. 

By most people's definition, the business is no longer an independent having already secured third-party capital investment in order to grow. However, Philip and his Co-Founder Tom, are very passionate about holding on the independent nature they started with. 

This topic forms the basis for the podcast, Philip talks to us about company culture and organisation and how important it is to retain the values and morals the business started with as they grow. 

An Hour With An Indie is created by Pilla - the app where retail and hospitality work happens.

Scheduling shifts is just the start - Pilla's automation and work templates make sure teams get the right work done, at the right time, in the right way.

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Andy and his family are the operators of three fantastic food and drink businesses in Crosby, just north of Liverpool City. All located within a half-mile radius, each site has a unique offering, taste and feel. 

During the podcast, Andy spoke to us about the contrast in operating suburb sites versus city-centre sites, the pros and cons to both and things to consider when deciding on where your next venue should be located. 

An Hour With An Indie is created by Pilla - the app where retail and hospitality work happens.

Scheduling shifts is just the start - Pilla's automation and work templates make sure teams get the right work done, at the right time, in the right way.

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Simon is the creator of Present Company cocktail bar in Liverpool City Centre. Just over a year old, the no-nonsense bar has just one objective "to serve world-class drinks in a nice room and make sure everybody has a great time".

Simon has a distinguished hospitality career having previously worked for Wetherspoons, Hilton Hotel, Be At One and his personal favourite Callooh Callay where he was GM for three years at the time the bar was listed as a top 10 cocktail bar in the world.

During the podcast, Simon told about his fondness for Liverpool and its independent culture and he talked us through his decision-making process when setting up Present Company including finding a location, deciding on a name and kitting the place out.  

An Hour With An Indie is created by Pilla - the app where retail and hospitality work happens.

Scheduling shifts is just the start - Pilla's automation and work templates make sure teams get the right work done, at the right time, in the right way.

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Dalip runs Mattas International food store on Bold St in Liverpool. An independent business through and through located right in the beating heart of Liverpool's independent hospitality and retail centre. 

Surrounded by bars, restaurants and coffee shops, the store has been in business since the mid-80s and has seen Liverpool city centre change in many ways. During the podcast, Dalip talks to us about some of those changes and how they have affected his business. He also talks to us about the state of the current retail climate and shares his opinions of the future of the British high-street. 

An Hour With An Indie is created by Pilla - the app where retail and hospitality work happens.

Scheduling shifts is just the start - Pilla's automation and work templates make sure teams get the right work done, at the right time, in the right way.

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Terry is the creator of the Turncoat Gin Distillery and Turncoar Gin and Pizza Bar at The Royal Albert Dock. He has been a passionate member of the independent business community in Liverpool for the past decade and provides branded gin for some of the areas best-loved restaurant and bar brands. 

Before Turncoat, Terry was involved with the creation of Love Lane Brewery. A very successful craft beer brewery who made a big impact on the region with their popular Love Lane beer selection. 

During the podcast, Terry speaks of his transition moving from beer into gin and the lessons he's learned along the way. He also spoke about the importance of independent business to the local community and the value in cultivating a strong business to consumer relationship.

An Hour With An Indie is created by Pilla - the app where retail and hospitality work happens.

Scheduling shifts is just the start - Pilla's automation and work templates make sure teams get the right work done, at the right time, in the right way.

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James Bates is Co-Founder and MD of Maray - an extremely popular restaurant group in Liverpool currently with three sites and ambitions for more.

He is a forward-thinking leader in the hospitality community and passion for independent business and promoting local talent in the industry. 

During the podcast, James told us about his journey to becoming a restaurant operator and ups and downs of learning the industry as he went along. 

An Hour With An Indie is created by Pilla - the app where retail and hospitality work happens.

Scheduling shifts is just the start - Pilla's automation and work templates make sure teams get the right work done, at the right time, in the right way.

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Lucy Byrne is Founder of Dot-Art in Liverpool. Dot is an independent gallery which focusses on promoting local artists. They exhibit and sell works in the business community and find opportunities for local people with a talent to build an art career. 

Dot-Art is also passionate about using art as a tool for social cohesion and improvement. They collaborate with schools to promote art from an early age and run workshops in the community for adults. 

During the podcast Lucy told us about her journey, the business and some of the challenges they face. 

An Hour With An Indie is created by Pilla - the app where retail and hospitality work happens.

Scheduling shifts is just the start - Pilla's automation and work templates make sure teams get the right work done, at the right time, in the right way.

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Andrea Edwards runs a group of hospitality venues spread across the country. Some of her most popular venues are based in Liverpool, including The Interesting Eating Company on Allerton Road and Tusk Baltic at Cains Brewery near the city centre.

Andrea is passionate about ethical business - Tusk Baltic was the first food business in Liverpool to be part of the Carbon Free Dining programme which offsets carbon from the diner's meal for an optional fee. 

During the podcast, Andrea spoke about her transition from her corporate career at McDonald's to independent business, how that experience helped her and some lessons learned along the way. 

An Hour With An Indie is created by Pilla - the app where retail and hospitality work happens.

Scheduling shifts is just the start - Pilla's automation and work templates make sure teams get the right work done, at the right time, in the right way.

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Gemma McGowan is Owner/Operator of The Isla Gladstone in North Liverpool.
Gemma has been an important part of the local economy in the area for two decades and a driving force in the regeneration of the area and promotion of job opportunities for local people. She is a passionate advocate for hospitality as a preferred career choice for young people and works hard to provide the training required to make that happen.

During the podcast, Gemma tells us about the nature of running an events based business and how that has been affected by the Coronavirus crisis. She also spoke about the key strengths of independent business, such as increased personality and character and how to use that to boost your business' success. 

An Hour With An Indie is created by Pilla - the app where retail and hospitality work happens.

Scheduling shifts is just the start - Pilla's automation and work templates make sure teams get the right work done, at the right time, in the right way.

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Paddy Smith is Co-Founder of Salt House Tapas, Hanover St Social, Bacaro and Rocket and Ruby - some of Liverpool's most popular restaurant brands. 
Paddy has worked within various hospitality businesses across the globe for over 30 years before founding Red & Blue Restaurants a decade ago. 

During the podcast, Paddy talks about his career so far, the differences between his four current venues and how they came about, Coronavirus and how independent businesses can better deal with it.

An Hour With An Indie is created by Pilla - the app where retail and hospitality work happens.

Scheduling shifts is just the start - Pilla's automation and work templates make sure teams get the right work done, at the right time, in the right way.

Try Free