Women still face workplace challenges, says Sholing pub landlady

This International Women’s Day, a landlady who runs a successful pub in Sholing says women still face challenges, not least of which is the gender pay gap, and that we should all get behind the theme of #AccelerateAction.

Jackie Murray, who runs the Robin Hood pub on South East Road, has been in managerial positions since the age of 19 and says during that time she has faced several obstacles.

“I’ve worked in retail for over 20 years and for most of that time I was doing the same job as my male counterpart, but he would always be on a higher salary,” she said.

Jackie relocated to Southampton just over two years ago, when she took over the Robin Hood. “I’ve never looked back,” she said.

However, she acknowledges that the work-life balance often affects women to a greater extent than it does men, and that’s why she wants everyone to back this year’s International Women’s Day theme of #AccelerateAction. She has three daughters and when her youngest was diagnosed with autism she had to take a career break to get her settled in the right school.

When she took over the Robin Hood in November 2022, Jackie made some key changes that have seen the business turn around. This included bringing back music, with regular bands, DJs and karaoke nights that go down very well with the locals and bring people from further afield too.

“From when I took over to now, I’d like to think we have created a great place for all our customers to visit, even with families.” Jackie said.

That sense of community will be celebrated when later this year the Robin Hood gets its very own bespoke mural, painted by local artist Joe Ross. The pub was one of nine venues in Southampton chosen to take part in Pub Cultures – a project that explores the role of pubs in our cultural history funded by Southampton Forward. Each venue was matched with a local artist to create art inspired by the unique identity of the pub and its patrons.

“It’s really exciting to be part of this project,” said Jackie. “It’s a whole new experience for me. I think it’s great that pubs are being celebrated in this way, and it’s been so good to be able to get really involved in the selection process. We were so lucky to be matched with Joe.

“Together we decided on an outdoor mural that reflects both our history and where we are today. I can’t wait to see the final piece.”

Looking back on her career, Jackie believes that working in hospitality was one of her best moves. “This industry is probably the least biased in terms of equal opportunities for men and women, and there are more and more females moving up the ranks.

“I’d advise any woman who wants a great career in management to strongly consider hospitality. But whatever their dream job, they should just go for it.”