An interview with a Brighton barmaid

Martha Cleary has worked in a fair few pubs in Brighton since she first came to the city from Chelmsford in Essex to study in 2013.

Making her way from one side of Brighton to the other, from Hove over to Lewes Road, she has pulled pints at The Iron Duke, The Queen's Head and The Bugle Inn.

Over the past four years Martha, has steadily worked as a part-time barmaid, mainly in The Bugle, and has a lot to say about Brighton and it's pub culture.

At twenty-two years old, some may say Martha is unusually young to care about the fate of pubs. Figures from the Office of National Statistics show 21% of adults do not drink compared with 19% ten years prior. The UK is seeing a growing number of young people turn their back on pubs, be it traditional pubs or otherwise.

Brighton’s Last Round sat down with her to explore a youth perspective and discuss her experiences with Brighton pub culture. Here is what she had to say on pubs, community, and refusing to charge £4.50 for a pint: