Lions-supporting pub manager enjoying banter

A keen Lions fan is entering the den every day she goes to work in Mount Maunganui.

Jan Ashley hails from Shrewsbury in the west of England but has spent the past year and a half in New Zealand. She has spent the last two months working as a duty manager at Irish pub Mount Mellick.

A passionate rugby player herself, she said she was excited about the Lions tour.

"It's amazing to be able to see all the games as they're being played and then have those conversations with back home," Miss Ashley said.

"My family are huge supporters as well."

Spirits had been high during the Lions tour, she said.

"The banter between the Lions fans and the New Zealand fans is always something you enjoy," Miss Ashley said.

"It's nice to have some Lions fans come in rather than it be just an All Blacks bar."

Mount Mellick general manager, Mark Dawson, said he was just as much of an All Black's fan as Jan was a Lions fan.

"I'm hard-out Kiwi through and through, and she's hard out British," Mr Dawson said.
"It's a nice rivalry to have behind the bar when people come in."

Mr Dawson believed there were "a lot more" people from the UK in the area as a result of the tour.

"They [Lions supporters] can liven up any establishment they walk into.

"We get a few of them popping in, and they're always good value."

Mr Dawson expected the number of British supporters would increase dramatically for this weekend's game between the Maori All Blacks and the Lions in Rotorua.

English pub Crown and Badger's owner, Jessica Raffrety, also agreed the tour was good for business.

"We've had heaps of people in which is wonderful," Miss Raffrety said.

"The first game we had wasn't overly busy but the weekend ones definitely were. It is definitely picking up."

However, 850 Cameron Motels owner Tony Bullot said rooms "certainly weren't booked out" ahead of the game set to take place an hour down the road.

"There is plenty of accommodation in Tauranga at the moment."

Hospitality New Zealand regional manager Alan Sciascia said Rotorua would be "extremely busy" as a result of the match.

"Accommodation over there is pretty heavily booked, but I believe there are still rooms available," Mr Sciascia said.

"It's unknown how much will flow over to Tauranga."

Kickoff for Saturday's game at Rotorua International Stadium is at 7.35pm.

GIVEAWAY
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