A CWMBRAN landlord treated staff and friends to an all-expenses paid holiday in the sun to say thanks for their support during the recession.

Malcolm Gough, 57, who runs The Halfway Hotel, Old Cwmbran, sent wife, Kim, 55, barmaid Averil Jones, 49, her sister Michele Ratcliffe, 45, barmaid Susan Jones, 51, and long-standing customers, Priscilla Thomas, 66, Coral Gibbs, 66 and Pat Hughes, 66, to Playa Las Americas, in Tenerife, for a week to show his appreciation after they helped turn the pub around.

The Goughs, whose son is Wales rugby international Ian Gough, have owned the pub for 12 years and leased it out in 2001, when they decided to retire. But the business struggled during the recession and they took it back over last year.

Mr Gough said: "We've all worked really hard and it's gradually turned around now. We're taking around four times more than we were last April.

"The girls have known for about six weeks, as they had to get passports sorted and stuff. Some of them haven't been abroad before. It's a one-off, but it's a sign of appreciation."

Averil Jones, who has worked behind the bar since last April, said: "We were all thrilled. It was a lovely surprise. If everyone had a boss like Malcolm, the world would be a better place."

Mrs Gough said: "All the bar staff knew before me. We're all really looking forward to it. It's nice to be rewarded for the hard work. It'll be good to get away with the girls."

The ladies flew out of Bristol Airport on Wednesday afternoon. Mr Gough, who spent around £2,000 on the surprise, is putting in extra hours to cover while they are away, as well as giving extra shifts to other bar staff.

EDITORIAL COMMENT: Best of the bosses

IT IS probably fair to say that we’d all love a boss like Malcolm Gough.

Mr Gough, who runs the Halfway Hotel in Cwmbran, has just splashed out thousands of pounds to send staff and some friends on an all-inclusive holiday to Tenerife.

The kind gesture is a way of thanking them for their hard work during the recession.

And while the staff are on holiday Mr Gough has had to arrange cover to ensure the pub stays open.

It’s a lovely move and one which will no doubt endear this boss to his staff for quite some time to come.

We are not sure many other bosses will follow his lead.

But we do hope Mr Gough has allowed enough time off for his staff to allow them to recover after a week in Playa Las Americas.