Two East Lancashire pubs have come home victorious from the Thwaites Hospitality Awards, after battling it out with hundreds of other pubs across the country.
The Traders Arms in Mellor and The Buck Inn in Clitheroe each won an award.
The Royal Oak at Riley Green, The Crown in Garstang, The Queens in Fleetwood and Garlands in Blackpool also came home with awards.
Hosted by Lancashire-based, family-owned hospitality company, Daniel Thwaites, the awards ceremony saw 145 people gather at the four-star Cottons Hotel and Spa in Knutsford.
The annual Thwaites Hospitality Awards recognises excellence across the company’s portfolio of more than 200 pubs, with 205 operators battling it out to win honours across 12 winning categories including ‘pub of the year’ and ‘best newcomer’, as well as an accolade crowning the ‘best pint’.
The judging process, which ranged from interviews to mystery pub visits, saw The Traders Arms win the best newcomer award.
The Mellor Lane pub was praised by judges for being “a true village pub using local suppliers and local produce, employing local staff who are well rewarded, trained and progressed. The pub raises awareness and funds for local charities and listens to and acts on what customers want".
Commenting on the award win, Linzi Clark, tenant at The Traders Arms, said: “We are delighted to have won the award for best newcomer.
"We can’t wait to take the award back home to our team and celebrate this amazing achievement with them."
The best investment award was given to The Buck Inn, in Lowergate, for its “well developed pub refurbishment scheme”, as well as “continuing to develop the offer and providing lots of reasons for people to visit”.
Steve Corny, tenant at The Buck Inn, said: “We are so shocked, yet so happy to win the award for best investment.
“Since re-opening the pub we have ploughed our own investment into the beer garden, making it a great space for all to enjoy. A big thank you to Thwaites for this award!”
The Royal Oak at Riley Green took the title for ‘perfect principles’, commended for its “warm hospitality, eye for quality, craftmanship and innovation” by judges.
Chris Rawlinson, tenant at The Royal Oak, said: "Post covid, we have worked so hard to get the pub back into the heart of the local community.
"Winning this award is a testament to the team’s efforts and we are truly grateful for all the continued support we have received."
Andrew Buchanan, director of pubs and brewing at Daniel Thwaites, said: “We’ve always taken great pride in our pubs and the teams that are the driving force behind them, so to be able to come together and celebrate their achievements is fantastic.
“This year the calibre of entrants has been extremely high and despite facing various challenges over the past few years, all of our winners and finalists have done a tremendous job of showcasing their resilience and dedication to hospitality excellence.”
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