Halfax pub receives honour in national awards

Halifax pub has been crowned Best Community Pub in Yorkshire & the North East.

Admiral Taverns' The Shoulder of Mutton, on Cain Lane in Southowram was awarded the title as part of The Great British Pub Awards 2009 and has also made it onto the shortlist for Best Community Pub in the UK alongside just seven other nominees.

The annual, nationwide awards, which are hosted by pub trade publication the Morning Advertiser, aim to recognise the outstanding achievements of licensees throughout the country and landlady Sherry Howcroft is delighted to have received the honour.

Sherry said: “I’ve lived in the village for the last 37 years so this pub has always been my local. I worked in the mobile catering industry for many years, and, when the pub became available three years ago, I saw it as a great opportunity to take a more settled job and give something back to the community.”

Sherry has established a number of popular social events, including weekly pool, darts, dominoes, curry and quiz nights, as well as a monthly karaoke evening. In addition, the pub regularly hosts charity fundraisers, with the noted Festive raffle raising over £800 for local charities last Christmas.

The Shoulder of Mutton is also known locally for the floral arrangements that decorate the outside of the pub, for which it received the local Pubs In Bloom prize in 2008.

Sherry continued: “Every penny I’ve made has been invested back into the pub, and it’s become a real labour of love for me. It’s been hard work, but also immensely rewarding.”

Sherry will now be attending the Great British Pub Awards ceremony at the London Hilton on September 9, where the national winners for each category will be crowned.

Stuart Watt, business development manager for Admiral Taverns, said: “This is truly a great achievement and Sherry is a great role model for anyone who’s ever been interested in running a pub.”

Admiral Taverns currently have a range of pubs available to let throughout the West Yorkshire area, including the Cross Keys in Halifax.

Stuart continued: “We’re always looking for people with the skills and personality to run a pub and urge anyone who’s interested to get in touch with our recruitment team.”

For more information about becoming an Admiral Taverns landlord, contact Admiral Taverns’ recruitment team on 0845 070 8950 or visit www.admiraltaverns.co.uk.