Double take for Swan Inn at Pub of the Year Awards 2013
Tim Newbold and Michael Powis
A Saddleworth pub has just ‘done the double’ and been named ‘Marston’s Pub of the Year 2013’.
A banner announces the award outside the Swan
The Swan Inn in Dobcross, has just been named the national newcomer champion, beating three other regions to the title after being crowned best newcomer Marston’s Pub of the Year for the North region.
The pub then ‘did the double’ by scooping the highest accolade, ‘Marston’s Pub of the Year 2013’.
Taking the top award meant that the Swan Inn had to outperform hundreds of other pubs, and take on five other worthy finalists which represent some of the finest venues across England and Wales.
Licensee Michael Powis said: “I was delighted to win the regional final but taking the national titles was a wonderful surprise.
“It’s testament to all the hard work we put in as a team to give customers a reason to trial the pub and return to it. With recognition like this from Marston’s, the future looks very bright for the Swan Inn.”
Michael and partner Tim Newbold received their awards at the glittering national Pub of the Year final, held at the Hotel du Vin in Birmingham on Thursday, 13 June.
It was presented by Pete Dalzell, Managing Director of Marston’s Inns and Taverns, who said, “Michael and Tim impressed all of the judges and me in particular, with the warm and friendly welcome you receive the minute you enter the pub and the dedication and hard work that has turned a relatively small country pub into a thriving business at the heart of its community.
Their creativity is a lesson for us all, they even have a theatre! So, they are thoroughly deserving winners of both the Newcomer category and the outright Pub of the Year title.”
Michael and Tim took on the Swan Inn in March 2012 and have quickly become popular figures behind the bar and around the venue. The first floor function room was formerly used as a magistrates court in the 18th century and the inventive pair use it as a 75 seat theatre.
Professional theatre companies visit at least once a month, staging productions ranging from challenging monologues, dramas and works by local writers. Some events are accompanied by food, such as the Opera Gala evening in July and stand-up comedy and curry nights already sold out for December.
For more information on the Swan Inn please call 01457 873451 or visit the website at www.theswandobcross.com/
Author: Jude Gidney - Editor
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