Our Story

The Team

James Dixon, General Manager

James grew up in a small village near Tenby, West Wales. Engaged in the pub trade from an early age, James experience has covered large tracts of the country: Edinburgh, Cardiff, Oxford and Bristol before finding the delights of Bath. James is a life long fan of great local food, drink and the sweet science of rugby (supporting Bath RFC and Wales). James described the opportunity of becoming the General Manager of the Packhorse Community Pub as “the closest thing to a love story you can find in my profession”. James is charged with making the business both a happy place to work and a great place to visit!

Catalin Nita, Assistant Manager

Catalin is very excited to be back with the Packhorse team since re-joining in February as assistant manager. Over the past four years, he has gained valuable experience as general manager at Casa de Tapas in Bath (2 years), assistant manager at The Real Greek in Bristol (8 months), and manager at Caffè Moka (14 months). His earlier role as a supervisor at the pub helped him to grow professionally and personally. What Cat has always loved about the Packhorse is the atmosphere — it feels like home. The team spirit, the customers, and the sense of community make it a really special place to work. Welcome back Cat!

Chris Hudson, Head Chef

Chris has been in the chef / hospitality world for over 24 years, starting at the Carpenter’s Arms in Stanton Wick. After five years, he moved to Torquay as second chef at the Hare and Hounds, then returned to Somerset, eventually becoming head chef at the Duke of Cumberland—Banwell House’s first pub. Chris became an executive chef with Banwell House pubs which included the community-focused Fleece, which he was very proud to have been a part of. When it became known that the Packhorse community pub needed a head chef, he jumped at the chance. Chris really enjoys being part of a community–owned pub again, getting to know the locals and has a soft spot for all the dogs that visit the pub. His love of the Packhorse has now spread to his parents who are an invaluable part of our garden team (along with Molly dog)!

Diana Cochran - Events Co-ordinator, FOH, Admin

Di joined the team back in May 2018. Following her previous careers in nursing and e-commerce sales and marketing she decided to venture into the world of hospitality. Di started out as a Packhorse 'Barista' on the early morning shifts back in 2018. She quickly progressed to helping out with all aspects of running a busy community pub including FOH work and lots of the admin. Along with the team she organises the busy events calendar. When she's not working she's running around after her family (and little dog), volunteering at the local hospice and loves getting away exploring new countries whenever possible.

Alex Gill, Supervisor

Alex joined the team over 3 years ago during his gap year. He is now studying for a LLB (Hons) law degree at the University of Law in Bristol. Alex always return to the Packhorse every uni holiday and was made a part time supervisor in the summer.

Our Values

The vision of the “Save the Packhorse” project was to re-establish the Packhorse pub as a community-owned, commercially-viable, social amenity that we can all enjoy and be proud of.

To this end, we aspire to run the Packhorse Community Pub with the following values at its heart:

(1) Guest Driven
Everything we do is based on exceeding our guests’ expectations. We succeed when we deliver moments of service that go above and beyond what is expected. Being guest driven means seeking to, consistently, provide an effective, fast and personalised service.

(2) Sense of Humour
Our guests do not come to the Packhorse to receive earnest, formal, high service; rather, we seek to be famous for putting a smile on our visitors’ faces. We look to recruit staff who fit this vibe: that is personable staff who take their hospitality profession very seriously but not themselves!

(3) Attention to detail
Aligned with the first value, is our attention to detail: the little things, the minor aspects of service that many others forget or can’t be bothered to attend to. People don’t come to spend their money just to eat and drink; they spend their money to experience atmosphere, service, performance and ambiance and to feel special. We aim to “wow” our guests and this requires us to stay on top of all the “little things”. When we do so our guests tell others and return time and time again.

(4) One Team
The Packhorse brand and story is far bigger than any single member of the team – regardless of position. There is no room for egos in our business. Rather, we seek to serve as “one team” with everyone playing an equally important part – from the Board Directors, to the General Manager, to the Head Chef to front-of-house to kitchen support. We all “live or die” together in terms of whether we succeed in establishing the Packhorse as a premier destination. If we are not serving a guest, we aim to serve a colleague who is.

Our Friends

The Packhorse vision was brought to life as a result of the many, many volunteers, professionals and community-spirited companies who gifted their time, services and products to this extraordinary venture. A heartfelt “thank you” to all of those listed below and the many others whose names went un-captured. The Packhorse, as you see it today, truly is the product of a thousand generous hands.

• CIL Management Consultants
• Angus Cunningham of Resourceful Earth
• Martin Bridge of Oxford Dendrochronology
• Alex Keene of All Things Green
• Acoustic Consultants Ltd
• Andy Borland
• Ann Samler
• Alide Hire Services
• BANES Planning Services
• bathSAT
• Bath Recycling Skips
• Ben Constable
• Ben Purnell of Tynings
• BuroHappold Engineering
• BW-Tech Group
• CAMRA
• Cannon Clarke
• Catherine Beale
• CGL Card Geotechnics Ltd
• Corrie Schrijver
• Chris Timson and Anne Gregson
• Claire Rendall Interior Design
• Professor Robert and Mrs Judith Parfitt
• Roz, Finlay and Claudia Moorhouse
• D.B. Gibbons
• Dando Surveying Ltd
• David Austin Roses
• David Chasemore
• E3 Consulting
• Fire and Brew
• Hedges Direct
• Heritage England
• Honey's Midford Cider
• Hugh and Jenny Steele
• Jane Riley
• Jeff and Alison White
• Jeff and George Coles
• Jenks and Helen Knill
• JME Conservation
• John & Ursula Brooke
• Kevin Maxwell
• Linda Chick
• Lindum Turf
• Mann Williams
• Mark Angela
• Mark Charlwood
• Mega-Rod
• Mendip Fireplaces
• Paul and Jane Beazley-Long
• Nicholas Pearson Associates
• Paul and Kath Crossthwaite
• Simply Carpets of Keynsham
• Nigel Tyas Ironworks
• Olly Swayne
• Pam Nix
• Neil Harvey
• Nick Smith Photography
• Paul Green Hi-Fi of Bath
• Peter Carney
• Peter Huish
• Prior Park Garden Centre
• Nigel and Becky Bryant
• Robert Hellard
• Richard Coles
• R.O. Dando
• R.M. Penny
• Rob Clayton
• Roper Rhodes of Bath
• Jonathan Bruton of Wansbroughs Solicitors
• Western Building Consultants
• Sophie, Beatrice & Ava Alexander
• South Stoke Parish Council
• Steve Bruce-Jones
• Sue Dawson
• TBKS Ironmongers of Bath
• Terry Pitt
• Thrings
• Tim Laney
• Toby Brett
• Tom Chapman
• Tom Dawson
• Will Larque
• Weston Mummers
• Sam and Charlie Tanner
• Total Building Control Ltd
• Jody Van Vestraut of Tomology Design
• Tom Knights of Tomology Design
• Jane Fox and the Ralph Allen School DofE students
• Wessex Archaeology
• Richard Sweet