A pub near Chelmsford which was taken over last year by Essex-born chef brothers Chris and Jeff Galvin has been named as the best in the East of England.

East Anglian Daily Times: The new look inside the Green Man at Howe Street, National Pub & Bar Awards East of England Pub of the Year. Picture: Galvin RestaurantsThe new look inside the Green Man at Howe Street, National Pub & Bar Awards East of England Pub of the Year. Picture: Galvin Restaurants (Image: Archant)

The Green Man at Howe Street was named as Essex county winner in the National Pub & Bar Awards last month, putting it in the running for the regional and national titles which were announced at a ceremony in London this week.

The national title went to The Botanist in Sheffield, the regional winner for Yorkshire and the Humber, but the Green Man beat off competition from the Suffolk, Norfolk, Cambridgeshire, Hertfordshire and Bedfordshire county winners to take top honours in the East of England.

Chris Galvin, co-owner and chef patron, said: “We are thrilled to be recognised as the best pub in the East of England, a fantastic achievement just six months after opening and a huge testament to our fantastic team at the Green Man.

“Opening in the pub last November was a passion project for myself and my brother Jeff. We grew up just down the road from the pub and wanted to come back to our roots and community and build something new and exciting.

East Anglian Daily Times: The Green Man at Howe Street, National Pub & Bar Awards East of England Pub of the Year. Picture: Galvin RestaurantsThe Green Man at Howe Street, National Pub & Bar Awards East of England Pub of the Year. Picture: Galvin Restaurants (Image: Archant)

“The pub itself dates back 700 years and we put our heart and soul into the renovation and design of the Green Man. We are proud to have put life back into the pub and are honoured to be recognised by these prestigious awards.”

He added: “The Green Man would not be the pub it is without our fantastic team and loyal customers. Jeff and I are enormously proud.”

The Green Man pub is set in 1.5 acres of meadow with the river Chelmer running at the bottom of the gardens.

It underwent a major transformation ahead of last November’s reopening, including renovation of the original listed structure and the addition of a new main dining room with a glass vaulted entrance.

East Anglian Daily Times: Alex Piombino, left, general manager, and Warren Geraghty, executive head chef, from Galvin Restaurants with the Green Man's trophy and certificates at the National Pub & Bar Awards ceremony. Picture: National Pub & Bar AwardsAlex Piombino, left, general manager, and Warren Geraghty, executive head chef, from Galvin Restaurants with the Green Man's trophy and certificates at the National Pub & Bar Awards ceremony. Picture: National Pub & Bar Awards (Image: Archant)

The menu focuses on locally-sourced ingredients and “classic” pub dishes and the bar has an emphasis on craft ales, including partnership working with local craft brewers.

The Green Man forms part of the family-run Galvin Restaurants business which includes six restaurants in London, two in Edinburgh and others in St Albans and Dubai.

The Suffolk county winner in the 2017 National Pub & Bar Awards was the Turks Head at Hasketon, near Woodbridge, and the Norfolk winner was The Crown at Pulham Market.