Regular customers at the Norway Inn at Perranarworthal could be forgiven for thinking they've stepped into a time warp following the return of a popular staff member.
Rod Gill started out at the St Austell Brewery-owned pub in 1978 when as a fresh-faced 16-year-old he joined the staff on a youth opportunity training scheme. He endeared himself to customers over the next 30 years or more before he was enticed to Truro's Alverton Manor in 2013.
St Austell Brewery's Piers Thompson and restaurateurs and hoteliers John Milan and Steve Bellman, however, persuaded him to come back and, after just a year away, he is back at the Norway.
Talking of his homecoming, Rod said: “The Norway is an amazing place and it just felt right for me to come back.”
Regular Norway diner Ann Collins, of Penryn, said: “We love Rod. We've been coming here every Sunday for 36 years. Rodney IS the Norway.”
Wendy Unwin of Constantine added, “We've known Rod since around 1995 at the Norway and he has become a fantastic friend and advisor to us.”
Rod added: “Many of the people I know now are far more than just customers at the pub, but every single person who walks through our door gets the same personal attention and the one thing that determines your entire experience at any venue is the welcome that you get when you arrive.”
Rod Gill at 16
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