Linda Prior holds many of St Austell Brewery’s records. She was the first woman in the company’s history to hold a sole manager and the Brewery’s first and only landlady of the Old Custom House in Padstow. 

But this year Linda is celebrating her proudest achievement - being named the award-winning Brewery’s longest serving pub manager as she marks 30 years at the helm. 

“Time’s flown by – it seems like I started five minutes ago, not three decades,” said Linda, 57. “I’ve seen so many things over the years, I wouldn’t even know where to start.” 

One of Padstow’s best-known faces, Linda joined St Austell Brewery in 1980 when she became manager of the Shipwrights Inn. Nine years later the Brewery bought the Old Custom House and Linda took over the reigns. She’s been there ever since and has built it up as one of the Brewery’s most successful pubs and hotels. 

Over the years Linda has won countless awards and served celebrities from Kate Winslet and Hugh Grant to Dave Allen and Fern Britton and husband Phil Vickery. 

Her pubs have always been a real family affair, with her daughters Sarah and Sonia and step-children all working alongside her. Sonia is now assistant manager of the Old Custom House and Sarah runs the St Kew Inn. 

“I’ve seen lots of changes, but I can honestly say I’ve loved every minute,” said Linda. “St Austell Brewery has been a wonderful company to work for and for that I’m very grateful.” 

To honour her achievement, Linda and her husband John were treated to a celebratory lunch at the Pandora Inn, Restronguet, with the Brewery’s managing director James Staughton and other members of the senior management team. 

Mr Staughton said: “We’d like to congratulate Linda and say a big thank you from us all for doing such a fantastic job. We’re hugely proud to have people like Linda as part of the Brewery’s family – she’s an absolute asset to the company.”