Award-winning bartender Courtney Francis has announced she is leaving Couch in Birmingham and stepping away from full-time bar operations.
The Class Bar Awards’ Emerging Bartender 2023 and 2025 Bartender of the Year finalist will work her final shift on December 6th, marking three years since she joined Couch from Bournemouth's Ojo Rojo.
Francis has been a key creative figure at Couch, working on cocktails and menu design, at a time when the bar has seen nationwide recognition, not least being nominated in seven categories of the Class Bar Awards 2025.
Speaking of Couch colleagues Katie Rouse, Jacob Clarke, and Danny Pope, Francis said: “I don’t think there are enough ‘thank yous’ in the world to ever encapsulate my gratitude for you.”
She said “It’s taken a long time to reach this very emotional decision, but my body has been through it in recent years and I now need to let it recover and get some answers so I can bounce back.
“I’m not leaving the industry—just taking a little sidestep from bartending into behind-the-scenes work, which will enable me to develop other skills I have through my passion for teaching and guiding the new generations of hospitality professionals. They are going to be an incredible bunch!”
Alongside starting her own drinks and design consultancy, Francis has taken a role with industry charity Springboard as a Career and Employability Delivery manager in Birmingham "recruiting, planning and delivering educational activities and employability courses, whilst providing ongoing support and mentorship".
Springboard helps people with barriers to work find a worthwhile career in hospitality.
Francis added that she wasn't ruling out an occasional cameo shift in the future: “I am open to disco shifts and consultancy work for all things drinks and design, so if you need anything, hit me up!”