The new manager of a Carlisle venue says he picked up a taste for the hospitality industry while working on the other side of the world.

Matt Womersley, 26, worked in bars in Sydney and Perth in Australia during a year out from studying for a diploma in product design.

“I absolutely loved it," said Matt.

"It was cool and crazy, and I learned so much about the industry, it was a fantastic experience."

He is now putting his knowledge of the drinks business to use as the new face of the Howard Arms and its upstairs gin parlour Said The Actress To The Bishop, in Carlisle city centre.

“I enjoy making sure the place is full of life and energy," he said.

"It doesn’t matter if you are 21 or 92 , you are more than welcome here."

Dianne Irving, managing director of Drouth Limited, invested £350,000 in refurbishing the Howard Arms and creating Said The Actress To The Bishop.

“The first thing you see when you walk through the door is the gin range," said Matt.

"It’s a nice welcome. It’s much more inviting, and we are attracting a much more diverse range of customers.

“I absolutely love it. The locals are fantastic. I have a craic with them and they have a craic with me which is great.”

Dianne said: “It’s a business which is going really well. We’ve got a good mix of customers, of all ages, and there’s a much more cosmopolitan feel to it now.

“People who come in to the Howard say ‘wow this has changed’. Then they go upstairs and see Said The Actress To The Bishop and they are amazed as they didn’t even know it was there.

“Matt has a great attitude, he’s full of ideas, and he’s putting together a really strong team. He’s being supported really well by the more experienced members of the team. Matt is a great example of someone we were really pleased with when he first joined us, and are thrilled that he’s made the step up to manager, and are excited about what he can go on to achieve in the business.”

Drouth Limited will further expand next month with the opening of the Milbourne Arms in Shaddongate. Dianne also runs The Crown in Stanwix and the White Mare at Beckermet.