It came as quite a shock when outspoken Wetherspoon founder Tim Martin was knighted in the New Year honours for services to hospitality and culture - but he said he owed it all to his staff.

“It had never been expected, so it came out the blue,” he said.

“But I always think that, in the pub world, it is a team effort – even if you’ve just got one pub there are many people involved."

It was back in 1979, in Muswell Hill, London, that Sir Tim  opened the very first Wetherspoon. Now there are 850 pubs and hotels run by more than 40,000 employees.

If you fancy joining Sir Tim's team, we took a look at some of the vacancies at your local right here in the North East.

Shift manager

The Highland Laddie at Norton

£26,044

A shift manager supports the pub manager and, when running a shift, takes responsibility for the pub`s operation. This includes motivating, supporting and organising the team, responding to customers, delegating tasks and working in all areas of the business, including in the kitchen and behind the bar.

Cleaner

The Tilley Stone, Gateshead

£10.72 an hour

Benefits include a  free meal and a drink, when working and a 50% discount on food and soft drinks, when working; a 20% discount on all food, drinks and hotel accommodation (for you and up to three guests), when not working.

The Northern Echo: Join the Wetherspoon teamJoin the Wetherspoon team (Image: Press release)

Bar staff

The Horse Shoe Inn, Crook

£10.52 an hour

We`re looking for fun, enthusiastic, passionate people to join our hard-working teams. We recruit for personality and, as a UK top employer with an award-winning training programme, we know that we can teach you the skills to succeed.

Kitchen staff

The Electrical Wizard, Morpeth

£10.72 an hour

At a glance, your role is to deliver excellent customer service to make hungry and thirsty customers happy. We open our doors early in the morning and sometimes don`t close them until late at night, so offering great flexibility of working hours.

Kitchen assistant

The New Angel Hotel, Whitby

£11.30 an hour

Wetherspoon promotes an inclusive working environment where everyone is welcome.
When you're at work, we want you to feel comfortable being yourself. Whatever your background, preferences or beliefs, we`ll ensure that you have the skills and knowledge you need for a great career with us.

Kitchen staff

The Stanley Jefferson, Bishop Auckland

£10.72 an hour

Includes £1 extra per hour, for hours worked between midnight and 5.59am and a bonus scheme - earn up to 19% of your pay.

Bar staff

Hat and Feathers, Seaham

£10.52 an hour

We`re looking for fun, enthusiastic, passionate people to join our hard-working teams - we recruit for personality.

Bar staff

The Three Tuns, Thirsk

£10.52 an hour

You'll need to demonstrate passion and enthusiasm in your role and show commitment, with the ability to manage time and prioritise tasks, have a friendly nature and the ability to develop good communications skills.

The Northern Echo: Join us at Ramside Hall Join us at Ramside Hall (Image: Newsquest)

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Overnight kitchen staff

The Winter Gardens, Harrogate

12.64 an hour

As a member of the overnight team, your role is to clean and prepare the kitchen to enable the delivery of excellent customer service to make hungry and thirsty customers happy during opening hours. You must be over 18 to apply for this role, however, if you are younger, we may still have positions available for you.

Bar team leader

The Postern Gate, York

£10.77 an hour

Your number-one priority will be making sure that our customers leave happy and want to return! This is achieved by ensuring that they are receiving the best possible service, from you and the team. You`ll also have a big part to play in maintaining our high standards of CQSMA, by ensuring, at all times, that the pub is in tip-top condition.

  • For more on these roles, go to www.jdwetherspooncareers.com/