The Chieftain Hotel

10/10/2026

SATURDAY HAS ARRIVED AND THE CHIEFTAIN'S ABOUT TO LOSE ALL SENSE OF DECORUM! We've got a full day of football followed by karaoke, which basically means we'll start the day with grown adults shouting at a television and finish it with grown adults shouting into a microphone. The only difference is DJ Kev can turn the second lot down. 12.30pm – West Brom v Birmingham City
12.30pm – Arsenal v Leeds. 5.30pm – Man Utd v Spurs Then from 7pm DJ Kev is back with karaoke, where confidence is high, talent is optional and there's always somebody who thinks they sound like Freddie Mercury after four pints. I'm behind the bar today, Tze's got herself a day off, which apparently is something landladies are allowed to have. Nobody consulted me. Darcie and Chris take over later, by which point I'll have talked enough rubbish to qualify for a day off myself. So come on down. The football's sorted, the karaoke's ready and the staff are only moderately supervised. The Chieftain. Proper people, proper pub doing it the proper way.

09/10/2026

FRIDAY, YOU SEXY LITTLE BEAST! ABOUT TIME! Well, we've made it to Friday. Another week of running a pub, pretending to know what we're doing and wondering how two women who can barely agree on what we're having for tea ended up responsible for an entire business. I'm behind the bar today, so naturally everything will be running like a well-oiled machine. Admittedly, one that's overdue an MOT and makes a funny noise when you turn left. Darcie joins me at 4pm, just in time for me to start telling her how hard I've worked, how exhausted I am and how nobody appreciates me. Then Tze takes over at 6pm, when I'll hand over the reins, the problems and possibly a list of people who've annoyed me. As for the old gal, she's got a busy one!
Horse racing this afternoon, Greece Women v England Women at 5.30pm, DJ Kev dragging the next generation of questionable talent out of the woodwork for karaoke from 7pm, and West Ham v QPR at 8pm. So that's football, racing, singing and alcohol all under one roof. What a lovely, relaxing environment we've created. Anyway, must dash. I've got a pub to run, a wife to irritate and approximately 47 things to do that I'll probably remember at bedtime. Happy Friday, you lovely lot. The Chieftain. Your local, your way. God help us all.

08/10/2026

FRIDAY EVE, YOU SEXY LITTLE TEASE! We're officially one sleep away from the weekend, unless you're me, in which case it's probably four. Three of them during office hours. Tze is behind the bar today keeping our old gal upright, the b**r flowing and the general public under some form of supervision. I'm upstairs doing very important office work. And by important I mean moving bits of paper around, looking concerned at the computer and occasionally shutting my eyes to think. If you hear snoring, that's just me processing information. Our ladies had a belting night at darts last night! The pub was absolutely buzzing, the laughs were flowing and nine women armed with sharp objects managed to have a cracking night without anybody needing medical attention. Personally, I think that deserves some sort of certificate! And a HUGE happy birthday to our very own MC Chris!
We did ask how old he was, but apparently his birth certificate was written on a cave wall and nobody's managed to translate it yet. Have a belter, Chris, you absolute legend! No sport to distract us today, just good b**r, good company and Tze wondering how she's ended up working while I've apparently taken up competitive sleeping. The Chieftain. Where the b**r's cold, the welcome's warm and one of the landladies is probably unconscious upstairs.

07/10/2026

Ladies darts at The Chieftain.
9 women, 27 darts, several pints and enough opinions to run a small country. Subtle? Never. Quiet? Absolutely not. Well behaved? Don’t be ridiculous.
We’d apologise for the chaos… but that would suggest it was accidental. The Chieftain ladies — taking darts far more seriously than we take ourselves.

07/10/2026

HUMP DAY.....That awkward little bit of the week where Friday is in sight but still being a cocky little sod about how far away it is.
Maisie’s on the bar today, young, organised and still far too hopeful about humanity. Chris takes over later, so by then there’ll probably be one bloke explaining horse racing to another bloke who didn’t ask. Racing’s on through the afternoon, then our ladies darts team are at home tonight — so expect arrows, noise, competitive muttering and at least one “that board’s bent” before the night’s over. Me and Tze will be doing what we do best: looking busy, losing the pen, finding the pen, then accusing each other of having the pen. And today’s completely unrelated thought…
Funny how a tiny thing can suddenly become a full production.
Anyway, get yourselves in. The Chieftain — halfway to Friday and already requiring refreshments.

06/10/2026

Tuesday has turned up again looking like nobody invited it. Luckily The Chieftain doesn’t rely on Tuesday having a personality. I’m behind the bar today doing what I do best — pouring pints, talking rubbish and pretending I’ve got everything under control. Tze takes over later, presumably to undo whatever damage I’ve caused.
Horse racing from 12.30pm, then tonight England v Czech Republic and Scotland v Slovenia both kick off at 7.45pm. So if your Tuesday is looking a bit beige, you know where we are. The Chieftain — saving people from sitting in the house since forever. Today’s poster model is one of our own… usually found somewhere between the bar, a Boddingtons and a strong opinion on the footy.

05/10/2026

MONDAY AT THE CHIEFTAIN…Well, the old girl’s had a cracking weekend. She’s been full, noisy, happy and probably needs a lie down today. Bit like the landlady, really. We’ve laughed, danced, sang, put the world to rights and somehow made it through the weekend with everyone still speaking to each other. That’s a win in my book. Today also marks the start of 🩷 Breast Cancer Awareness 🩷 Week, and we’re joining loads of other venues in town raising money. So the charity boxes are out. Loose change, notes, whatever you’ve got — get it in there. And don’t start with “I’ve got no cash.”
We know you’ve all got one of those mystery £2 coins living in the bottom of a handbag somewhere or pocket. As for today, there’s not loads on…I’m on the bar first, then our Chris takes over later.
So basically, one loud blonde followed by one bald bloke.
What more could you possibly want on a Monday? And finally…
THE PREMIER LEAGUE IS BACK THIS WEEKEND. About blumming time. International breaks have all the excitement of waiting for a kettle to boil. Roll on proper football, shouting at the telly and everyone suddenly becoming a qualified manager again. Happy Monday, you lovely lot. The Chieftain — your local, your way.

04/10/2026

SUNDAY SERVICE AT THE CHIEFTAIN…Right, congregation.
It is Sunday, and while some of you may be heading somewhere peaceful and respectable…we’ve gone in a slightly different direction. Horse racing starts at 1pm, then at 3pm the fabulous Sam Davidson Small steps up for today’s sermon. And trust me, with that voice, this is one service even I might manage to stay quiet through. No promises. Our other little miracle is Chase the Joker, now sitting at a whopping £413. He is still hiding. At this point I’ve seen less commitment in actual relationships. Then we’ve got Wales v Denmark, followed by darts from 8pm, so your Sunday can quite comfortably disappear without you having to make a single sensible decision. No Sunday best. No hymn books. No pretending you’re “only staying for one”. Just good music, good sport, good people and a bar that has absolutely no interest in judging your life choices. The Chieftain. Your church of choice. We fully support a pint during the sermon.

03/10/2026

03/10/2026

SATURDAY AT THE CHIEFTAIN…Well after last night, today’s Kat is being held together by caffeine, paracetamol and pure stubbornness. My gorgeous Maisie, Tze and a gang of absolute sneaks only went and organised me a surprise party in the pub.
And what a night...Singing, dancing, surprise guests, drinks flying, everyone full of love. Basically I peaked last night and today I’ve come down like a badly erected gazebo. Absolutely worth it though. Honestly, I felt so loved. What an amazing bunch of people I’ve got around me. Now, enough of the mush before I ruin my hard-earned reputation. Thank the lord Tze is on the bar today, with our Darcie and Chris later, because I currently look like I’ve been dragged through a hedge and invoiced for the privilege. “We’ve got horse racing through the afternoon, footy results coming in, Croatia v England at 5pm, karaoke from 7pm, North Macedonia v Scotland at 7.45pm and World Darts from 8pm.
So basically sport, singing and questionable decisions all under one roof.” So get yourselves in and enjoy your Saturday. And if you see me…No sudden movements...No shouting...And absolutely nobody say “hair of the dog”.
The Chieftain — your local, your way.

20/08/2026

🙌 Craft Fest is in full swing! 🙌

We’ve already seen some brilliant events across our pubs, from live music and festivals to community celebrations, all while raising money for some incredible causes ❤️

Now we’re gearing up for the BIG August Bank Holiday weekend, when even more of our Craft Fests will be taking place! 🎉🍻

And there’s more… the Craft Fest Campervan Tour hits the road this week, making its first stop at The Endeavour! 🚐

A huge thank you to every team getting involved. Every charity contribution, big or small, makes a real difference 🫶

11/08/2026

The Craft Fest campervan tour is hitting the road this August, bringing free samples, interactive activities and plenty of festival fun to pubs across the UK.! 🥰

Catch us at:

22 August - Endeavour, Middlesbrough
29 August - The Cherry Tree, Plymouth
30 August - The Cardigan Arms, Corby (CORBYFEST)
31 August - Royal Oak Brampton

It’s all about bringing people together, creating great moments and adding even more excitement to this year’s Craft Fest celebrations 🫶

17/07/2026

🍻 50 FREE DRINKS AT EVERY ONE OF OUR PUBS! 🍻

Wednesday wasn’t the result we wanted, but England still have one more game to play 🏴

Join us this Saturday 18 July as England take on France in the 3rd Place Play-Off, 10pm kick-off.

The first 50 people through the door between 7pm and 8pm, wearing at least one England-themed item of clothing or accessory, will receive a FREE drink: https://www.craftunionpubs.com/sport/football/where-to-watch-world-cup

One last game. One free drink. Let’s get behind England! 🙌

T&C's apply. While stocks last.

11/07/2026

⚽ Every match is better in our pubs! 🍻 ​

Grab your mates, enjoy great-value drinks, soak up the atmosphere and don't​ forget to pick up your Big Summer Scorecard for the chance to unlock FREE​ drinks and win a share of over £250,000 in prizes (T&Cs apply). ​

We'll see you at kick-off! 🙌

07/07/2026

Signs of a good matchday:

🍺 Empty glass
⚽ England win
🗣️ No voice left

06/07/2026

England are through! 🙌​

Today's priorities:​
❤️ Relive the goals.​
📱 Fill up the group chat.​
🍻 Get the next match in the diary.

02/07/2026

Watch the games, collect stamps and score big with over £250K of prizes to be won with our Big Summer Scorecard! 😍

Pick up your scorecard in pub and start collecting every matchday:

🍺 1 pint = 1 stamp
🥔 1 packet of Walkers crisps = 1 stamp
🎁 Free drink rewards at 8, 16, 28, 40 & 60 stamps

The more football you watch, the more rewards you earn.

Available across the tournament and selected summer football fixtures. T&Cs apply.

30/06/2026

£500,000 raised and we’re only halfway there! ❤️

Our pubs have now raised an incredible £500k for our Make It A Million campaign and every penny tells a story.

Behind that number are teams giving their time, guests showing their generosity, communities coming together and moments that remind us what our pubs are all about.

We can only share a few of the many amazing stories and photos from our sites, but this milestone belongs to every single person who has helped make it happen. To our teams, guests and communities, thank you. Let’s keep going and Make It A Million! 🙌

29/06/2026

Nothing beats a World Cup matchday at the pub ⚽🍻

The atmosphere. The chants. The last-minute winners. The roar when the ball hits the back of the net 🙌

Grab your mates, enjoy an ice-cold pint and soak up every moment with fellow fans. No bookings, no fuss, just turn up, find your spot and enjoy the beautiful game. See you at kick-off! 🍺⚽

27/06/2026

The heart of our pubs is a place where everyone belongs 🌈✨

A huge shoutout to Sarah and Kelly from The Black Swan, and to everyone involved in putting together such an amazing Pride event. Your hard work, passion and community spirit made it a day to remember ❤️

Whether you're joining us for a drink, a dance or celebrating with friends, we're proud to be a space where everyone is welcome, every single day. Here's to good vibes, great people and making everyone feel welcome. Happy Pride! 🏳️‍🌈✨