He’s rubbed shoulders with football hooligans, watched a customer get slashed in the face and even had to save his own colleagues from a nightclub riot. But this is all in a days work for one of the West Midlands’ longest-serving bouncers.
Charles Yearwood started his career on the doors of a Longbridge Chinese restaurant with his brother at just 17 – and has gone on to become a familiar face across Birmingham and Solihull’s pubs and clubs.
From calling taxis and ambulances to salting his feet ahead of long night shifts, Charles, 66, has spent decades “looking after the public.” The dad-of-four is finally calling time on his career of more than 40 years today (Friday September 8) at the Mason’s Arms in Solihull town centre.
The pub is a popular Blues pub and sports bar – and Charles has seen just how dramatically the industry has changed since the days when “anyone could work as a doorman.” We visited the pub on a blistering hot weekday afternoon to meet Charles and his colleague Richard Myrie ahead of Charles’ last shift.
Richard, 40, told us: “People in Solihull have grown up with Charles, everyone knows who Charles is. People don’t start trouble because they know him. He’s always professional and is very experienced, we have talked problems down before they become problems.”
He added: “It’s about respect really isn’t it.” Recalling what he’s seen, Charles explained: “It has changed for the better, when I first started there was a lot of violence, fights every weekend, guaranteed, in the club, pub, in the streets, and it’s calmed down a hell of a lot to what it used to be, I’ve got to know a lot of people, even people we’ve had situations with we’ve become friends, a bit like family.”
After his first stint on the takeaway doors, Charles then worked the pubs in Weoley Castle before moving to Solihull town centre, where he has stayed for more than 30 years. He did security at popular Solihull clubs like Rosie’s before it closed, as well as Popworld, and at one point would do this alongside his daytime role as a technician.
Chatting to us in between greeting familiar customers, Charles explained: “There used to be a lot of trouble, but now not any more. I said to customers we spend more time with you than our own families. We’re always with each other, talk about stuff, family stuff, it’s that trust.” This is clear as numerous punters stop our interview with Charles to see when his last day is and wish him well.
Recalling some of their best and worst moments, Richard and Charles said they have had to pull each other out of a pile-on during a nightclub riot and have been personally attacked. The Mason’s Arms is traditionally a Blues pub, and Charles said this has meant a lot of contact with Zulu Warriors, members of the football hooligan firm.
“You know you’re going to clash with them, I have clashed with a few Zulus, but now some of the Zulus are my best friends. We were enemies at first, but they test you and then you become friends. Then if some of them are going to kick off, they’ll stop their friends.
“When it was the World Cup you couldn’t move here, you can get 400 people in here. It’s always been a busy sports pub” manager James Clarke told us. James has managed the bustling spot since 2009, and Charles was one of the first people he met when he started working aged 18.
‘It’s time to have time for myself’
The venue dishes out around 110 meals in a lunchtime sitting and serves “a few thousands” drinks over the weekend – which can also lead to tense situations. Revealing how they diffuse trouble, Richard said: “Obviously talking is your greatest gift, but sometimes that doesn’t work, you get, I wouldn’t say physical, but you usher people to let them know that their time is up.”
Charles added: “You’ll get some people say, I’m not going, and you say to them, at the end of the day we’re security, so it’s our job and we have to move you on.” And his tip for new workers is certainly unique: “I always say to bar staff to get good shoes and salt your feet in cold water it hardens them.
“Manager James added: “It starts with the guys on the door. Most of the customers that come in are good.” Richard and Charles have worked at the Mason’s Arms for years, supporting each other through life’s ups and downs. “If you have done something for more than 40 years, then suddenly stopping is big” Richard explained.
Charles added: “You miss family events, you can’t stay because you’re working.” And for the first time in decades, he’ll be enjoying this Christmas at home. “It’s time to have time for myself – have time for me.”
Source – Birmingham Mail
