Ella Maeve

I have almost a decade of experience in hospitality and have worked in a range of different venues. I hold a personal licence. My greatest strength as a bartender is my love of meeting people of all kinds, and it's also my favourite thing about working in this industry.

I thrive on the feeling of being in a 'flow' state during busy shifts, but I also enjoy chatting with the regulars and getting on top of housekeeping during the quieter times. I'm a passionate craft beer enthusiast, not yet an expert but always ready to learn more, and I'm also always open to sampling and learning about new foods and drinks.

Bar Staff at Bakkus (2025-09 – 2026-03)

A vibrant family-owned bottle shop and bar with a community atmosphere and a focus on good wine and friendly vibes.

• Poured delicious frosted pints of lager
• Gained wine knowledge
• Learned names and favourite drinks of locals
• Key holder - regularly opened and closed the bar

Bar Staff at The Brick (2024-03 – 2025-06)

A cosy pub with twenty beer taps, specialising in Czech and German lagers as well as a unique range of wines and spirits.

• Learned to do a 'hladinka' pour with special Czech lukr taps
• Liaised with the kitchen serving very popular Sri Lankan food

Bar Staff at The Evening Star (2024-03 – 2025-06)

A legendary Brighton pub with eight real ale pumps and a rotating range of other craft beers.

• Worked many busy football day shifts near the station
• Worked fairly quiet Sunday evenings with live folk or blues music
• Politely kept voice down out of respect to musicians and listeners

Bar Staff at The Quadrant (2023-11 – 2024-07)

A busy city centre pub with a well-loved music venue upstairs.

• Worked loud, lively weekend nights and weeknights when gigs were on
• Helped set up the venue and managed pre, during and post-show rushes
• Worked during the Brighton festival when Laughing Horse comedy shows were on upstairs

Sales Assistant at Malarkey Cards (2017-04 – 2023-08)

A quirky independent greetings card shop in the North Laine.

• Keyholder, working mostly on own
• Opened up, cashed up, and in charge of the premises
• Managed intense Christmas periods
• Kept shop tidy and organised
• Found exactly the right card when customers came with specific requests

Voluntary Counsellor at Carers Support West Sussex (2017-03 – 2020-03)

Working as a volunteer providing counselling to unpaid carers.

• Deeply rewarding and moving experience
• Emotionally demanding work
• Always left feeling positive and inspired by the resilience of clients

Assistant Manager at Candy Brighton (2015-03 – 2017-03)

A busy sweet shop.

• Ordered stock
• Employed and trained new staff members
• Opened and closed, including cashing up
• Became expert in different types of pick 'n' mix sweets
• Memorised the price of everything we sold (no price labels)

Bar Staff at The Colonnade Bar (2008-05 – 2015-08)

A beautiful old-fashioned theatre-themed bar next door to the Theatre Royal.

• Managed plenty of non-theatre going regulars
• Kept on top of ebb and flow of customers from Theatre Royal
• Offered interval drinks which had to be ready and waiting at exactly the right time
• Managed hectic interval rushes

Bar Staff at The Shakespeare's Head (2010-08 – 2011-01)

A quiet locals pub.

• Got to know the regulars
• Kept an eye on the pool table and dart board

Sales Assistant at Ringtons Tea and Coffee (2008-06 – 2009-02)

A specialist loose-leaf tea and coffee bean shop.

• Acquired knowledge about tea and coffee
• Helped customers find exactly the right blend

Sales Assistant at The LEGO Store (2003-09 – 2005-02)

A busy toy shop.

• Always on the go
• Worked the tills
• Stocking up
• Enthusiast about the product with young customers

Diploma in Humanistic Counselling – University of Chichester (2015-09 – 2017-09)

NCFE Level Three Award in Counselling Skills and Theory – City College, Brighton (2014-09 – 2014-12)

NCFE Level One Award in Interpersonal Skills – Varndean College, Brighton (2012-04 – 2014-06)

CPCAB Level Two Award in Counselling Skills – Varndean College, Brighton (2012-04 – 2014-06)

AS Levels in Film Studies, English Literature, Computing, Sociology – Brighton Sixth Form College (BHASVIC) (2002-09 – 2004-01)

GCSEs in General Education (10 subjects including English [A], Maths [C], Double Science [C]) – Dorothy Stringer High School, Brighton (1997-09 – 2002-06)