Pubs in Cheshire and Lancashire have been named among the best in the UK. The Great British Pub Awards happened in Manchester last night, with representatives from the best boozers in the land in attendance.
The Bellflower in Garstang, Preston scored the award for Best Pub for Dogs. A Marston’s pub, judges noted it as a welcoming venue for dogs and their owners.
They went on: “The Bellflower takes its commitment to the canine market seriously, undertaking risk assessments and special staff training to make dog visits comfortable for all its customers.
"But it’s also a fun destination for furry friends, with a wide selection of premium ‘doggy doo-dah’ treats, bowls and blankets, a choice of water from ‘ale’ and ‘lager barrels’ in the garden, and toys and balls, the latter sold to raise money for a local animal charity.”
Then over the border, The Saddle Inn in Chester won the award for Best Pub for Entertainment, praised for its embracing of live music and music-themed decor, which includes rock-themed rooms, guitar necks as beer pumps and even an in-pub tattoo studio.
“These spaces were renovated during the pandemic, yet grunge aesthetic is not forgotten, with chandeliers adorning the walls which are painted red and black,” said judges. “However, the Saddle isn’t just for die-hard rock fans. As well as rock bands, the Saddle hosts jazz musicians, acoustic sessions and open mic nights. It’s a venue that stands out in the cathedral city.”
The Saddle fended off competition from The King's Arms in Salford, which was also up in the same category.
Ed Bedington, editor of The Morning Advertiser, which runs the annual awards, said: “This isn’t about Michelin stars or spit and sawdust boozers, these awards recognise vibrant, superb businesses from every spectrum of the sector that for the heart of the communities they serve.”
This year, The Gun Inn in West Sussex won Great British Pub of the Year, a ‘quirky’ village pub with a full events calendar, picturesque garden and good food.
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