A SOUTH Cheshire village inn has claimed the crown of the ‘North West’s Pub of the Year’.

The top accolade for The Swan at Marbury, between Whitchurch and Nantwich, comes from the prestigious National Pub & Bar of the Year Awards – just five years since it was reborn by Pubs Ltd as the first in a now four-strong group.

Charlie Holden, the newly-appointed general manager, said he and his staff were delighted to receive the award.

He added: “I am over the moon for the pub to have won this award.

“The team work so hard to make sure customers have the best experience at the Swan.

“To receive this award must show we are doing something right.

“We aim to provide the best food and drink to customers, from our pies to our rums – as long as the customer is happy that's the main thing.

“Being made general manager is a dream come true.

“Starting at the Black Bear I fell in love with pubs and how they can be a central hub for a community and I am a big believer that they are a meeting point for those that love what we do.”

Tristan O’Hana, editor of Pub & Bar magazine said: “The Swan is a stunning country pub presented immaculately inside and out.

“Overseen by passionate operators, the food is homemade, thought through and executed perfectly, no matter which dish is chosen.

“The team is friendly and, importantly, very knowledgeable about the food and drink on offer.

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“It is an excellent operation and has done the North West proud by winning a regional National Pub & Bar Award.”

Pubs Ltd, headed by hospitality entrepreneur Jerry Brunning – the founder of the Chester based Brunning & Price pub chain – made a major investment in the Swan with a sympathetic restoration, bringing it back to life.

This latest award adds to a string of accolades including Cheshire Pub of the Year at the Taste Cheshire Awards 2022, among others.

He said: “The Swan was the first venture for Pubs Ltd and we faced a major challenge to give this wonderfully historic venue a new lease of life and build business.

“This well-earned award is a marvellous tribute to the team.

“Charlie has been a valued member of the team and, as the new general manager, I know he is looking forward to the challenge of building on this top award.”

The growing Pubs Ltd group now includes the Black Bear in Whitchurch, the Hare at Farndon and Chester’s Henry Potts in Watergate Street, opened just one year ago in the heart of the city.