MATT Coulson has worked behind bars all his working life.
Born and raised in Leeds, his first bar job came at a local pub where he collected bottles and cans as a teenager, a far cry from running and managing his own pub.
He said: "I worked part time in pubs while I was at Bradford College. It was just something I really enjoyed and I have been doing it ever since.
"I have just worked my way up through the jobs, starting with bottle collecting from the tables, to becoming a landlord at two pubs."
He worked in textiles after college, as a quality assurance manager at Drummonds Mill in Bradford.
While working for the firm he still worked part time in a local pub and in 1987 he became the manager of a pub in Otley, near Leeds, called the Cross Pipes.
He said: "This was my first role in management at a pub and it was great. That was the start of it really. My passion for the trade carried on from there."
He moved to Scarborough 20 years ago when he became the bar manager of the Pavilion Vaults, in Westborough.
He said: "I must admit when I first came to Scarborough I was not completely sure about the place and it took me a while to settle. But then it just grew on me and now I would not want to live anywhere else as I class Scarborough as my home."
Mr Coulson ran the Pavillion Vaults for three years before taking a job at a car garage in Roscoe Street.
"I have always been good with cars and bikes so I worked in a garage for about 18 months. I was also working part time at the New Tavern as a barman."
In 2000, aged 39, he became the landlord of The Scarborough Flyer, off Seamer Road.
"This was very different. I must say every pub I have been in charge of, has been different.
"The Pavilion Vaults was light music seven days a week and the Scarborough Flyer was definitely more of a community pub."
Five years ago he took over the New Tavern, in Falsgrave Road.
The pub was in desperate need of a makeover so Mr Coulson spent around £240,000 refurbishing the pub.
Mr Coulson, who lives above the pub, said: "We completely transformed it. It needed to be though. We had mixed reactions from the customers. Some of the long serving regulars were a bit put out but the refurbishments definitely brought in new customers and brought back former ones. I think it was great."
In March this year Mr Coulson's added to his work load by taking on the Tap and Spile, also in Falsgrave Road.
He said: "This wasn't something I planned. The pub was in trouble at the time. A management company were called in to turn it around and they just did not know what they were doing.
"I tried to help, giving them advice but they were just not the right team for the Tap and Spile. So Enterprise asked me to take it on and I agreed.
"I think a lot of people were a bit surprised when I did, but I am really glad now that I agreed and I have a lot of plans for the pub."
Mr Coulson has been the vice president of the Scarborough Licensed Victuallers' Association for three years.
Over the last couple of years there has been huge changes to the pub trade which Mr Coulson said has caused custom to fall.
He said: "I think it is becoming a crisis for Scarborough at the moment. Any landlord who says they are not losing trade and are not effected are lying."
The smoking ban was introduced to pubs in July last year and Mr Coulson said this made a huge difference in both his pubs.
He said: "I was completely against it as I am sure most landlords were. I think people never thought it would happen so they didn't bother to fight it. Then when it came about people were really shocked but there was just nothing they could do about it as it was too late.
"It has hit us hard and has completely reduced trade. Landlords can be fined up to £2,000 if someone is caught smoking in the bar so it is just not worth the risk. But it is hard, especially during the day when the average age of your customers is 60 and you have to ask them to go outside to have their cigarette."
Mr Coulson said the price increase has also made a huge difference.
He said: "The prices have had to go up which has meant people just do not want to go out anymore. They would prefer to get drink from the supermarkets and have it at home.
"The problem in Scarborough is getting worse and it is a very difficult time for some traders."
His role with the Licensed Victuallers means he gives advice and help to other landlords about problems or changes.
He said: "We are trying to work together collectively. I think this is something that should be encouraged. We should not be competitive. We are all in the same boat.
"I speak to local landlords and managers about problems and give them advice."
Mr Coulson said he hopes to keep running the two pubs and is planning a refurbishment for the Tap and Spile.
He said: "It definitely needs a cosmetic makeover, so I am looking to do that soon. I have a very busy life as I work in both pubs. I think it is so important for a landlord to be around, particularly behind the bar, so customers can talk to you. I split my time between both pubs and it is great as they are just over the road from each other.
"The plan is to keep both pubs on as they are both so different. I am looking forward to having an early retirement and putting my feet up, but obviously not quite yet."