A rural Suffolk pub has been shortlisted for a national award – because of its beer garden.
The King’s Head in Laxfield, known as ‘the Low House’, is one of 10 finalists in the chance of winning SME Insurance’s Britain’s Best Beer Garden 2016, alongside pubs in Somerset, Edinburgh, Leicester and Nottingham.
The pub is one of a few pubs remaining in the United Kingdom that has no bar-counter, with a traditional tap room still operating for customers to purchase drinks from and over the summer, many a customer spent hours in the huge sun-drenched garden eating and drinking local food and drink.
The winning beer garden will be based on the highest number of public votes, coupled with the decision of an independent judging panel, comprising industry experts from pub trade magazine The Morning Advertiser, the British Beer and Pub Association, and Two Thirsty Gardeners blog.
The winner will not only be crowned Britain’s Best Beer Garden, but will also receive a professional photo shoot of their pub garden. In addition to the main prize, the top three pubs will each receive a commemorative plaque to mark their achievement, as well as vouchers up to £500, which they can use towards treating their staff.
Proprietor of the pub, Paul Rous, said: “It’s fantastic.
“It’s an iconic pub.”
Earlier this year, there were fears within the community that the popular venue would close. But Mr Rous took on the pub six months ago.
“We applied to take it on because we didn’t want to see it being developed and lose such an iconic pub,” he said.
“None of us wanted to lose it so we refurbished it and it’s nice to be recognised and nice to be considered at a national level.
“I think it reflects on the area. Places like the Low House rely on the locals and all of our support otherwise we lose them.
“If we continue to support them we will get more recognition and they will continue to be recognised as the gems they are.
“It’s one of the hidden gems that is being rediscovered.
“Rural pubs are great examples of business by locals supported by locals.
“There are so many pubs shutting down. If they are supported by the local community they are going to thrive and be able to exist so they can be in the running for national awards.”
The deadline for voting is midnight on Sunday.
For the full shortlist and to vote, visit www.smeinsurance.com/britains-best-beer-garden/
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