The Drummer’s Arms in Blackburn named CAMRA pub of the year

The Drummer’s Arms in Blackburn has been named Blackburn with Darwen’s pub of the year.

Lark Carr took over the pub with her mum, Hilary, in 2019 and said she is delighted to have won the award.

Lark and Hilary Carr (Image: Lark Carr) She said: “We are over the moon. It’s nice to know that when you put a lot of hard work, time and effort into something [it pays off].

“We can see people enjoy the pub but it’s nice to have it on paper.

“We get a lot of CAMRA members daily and I class them as regulars.”

Lark said the friendly and welcoming customers make the pub what it is today.

She said: “We try our best behind the bar but it’s the customers that make the pub what it is.

“We have quite a good reputation for being friendly and welcoming and this is largely thanks to the customers being so friendly. They will talk to anyone.

“It’s nice there is such a community feel at the pub.

“We’d like to thank customers for their years of support and to CAMRA members for recognising our hard work. It means the world to us and it’s nice to know people enjoy the pub as much we do.”

The team will be presented with the CAMRA award on Saturday, June 15.

CAMRA also revealed its overall 2024 winners and sub-area winners.

Old England Forever, in Clayton-le-Moors, won branch pub of the year. Whitworth Vale and Healey Band Club won club of the year.

Here is a full list of sub-area winners:

Blackburn with Darwen

Pub of the year: The Drummers Arms

Club of the year: Cherry Tree Cricket Club

Burnley

Pub of the year: New Brew’m

Club of the year: Molly Rigby’s

Hyndburn

Pub of the year: Old England Forever, Clayton-le-Moors

Club of the year: Canine Club, Accrington

Pendle

Pub of the year: Trawden Arms, Trawden

Club of the year: Dressers Club, Colne

Ribble Valley

Pub of the year: Swan with Two Necks, Pendleton

Club of the year: Waddington Village Club

Rossendale

Pub of the year: Buffer Stops, Rawtenstall

Club of the year: Whitworth Vale and Healey Band Club