A pub at the heart of its community cooking food for those isolated during lockdown and serving daily lunches to school children has been crowned Suffolk Pub of the Year.
Back in August, we asked you the readers to help us and from there 181 deserving pubs were shortlisted for the honour.
After counting up the votes, we can reveal this year’s winner is The Cock Horse Inn, in Lavenham.
Amanda Poole, who is a co-owner of the pub, said: “Everyone is ecstatic really. It is the sense of achievement and it is nice people recognising everything we do.
“The team deserve it and they work incredibly hard to make sure customer service is en point and that everyone is welcome. It’s down to them.”
The pub has a team of just under 25 people working from the kitchen to front of house to create the perfect atmosphere for customers. Ms Poole said: “From the food to the service, it’s really important.
“The last few years they haven’t been the easiest. The best thing to come out of it is that it has brought us and the community closer together.”
During the pandemic, the pub threw itself into community work to provide food for those isolated.
In addition, it continues to provide lunch for pupils at the village primary school.
The co-owner said: “If you can rely on your community that will keep you going through tough times.”
Now the pub is preparing to launch its Christmas pantry to support those struggling financially during the festive season to have what they need.
The team will be accepting donations to make up hampers that can be collected and passed on to families and individuals in need, no questions asked.
The hamper bags will be ready to collect on Friday, December 23, and on Christmas Eve. Sponsoring this year's awards is chartered accountants, taxation and business advisers MHA.
Martha Harley, from MHA, said: “MHA are proud to have sponsored the Suffolk Pub of the Year 2022 campaign; shining a light on the many outstanding pubs in the region at a difficult time for the hospitality industry.
"Huge congratulations to the stunning Cock Horse Inn, Lavenham for taking home the top prize. We are so happy for you and shall be sure to pay a visit to toast your success soon.”
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here