Pick of the bunch
The future is looking bright for Publican Awards winner the Pickwick Inn.
The sun-spangled water of the Camel estuary was patched with holiday sails as Eddie Stanton, looking out the window of the Pickwick Inn, contemplated life in the licensed trade.
"To stay in this business for 20 years, you've got to enjoy it," he mused. At that moment, enjoying it didn't seem to be too much of a challenge.
The late spring sunshine was putting a bright polish on the picturesque north Cornwall landscape - in the middle of school half-term, too - and Eddie and his wife Jenny were also basking in the accolade of The Publican Freehouse of the Year.
Since Colin Wellstead of sponsor Christie & Co, the property agent, handed them the trophy at the Grosvenor House awards ceremony in March, the Stantons' business, which was already thriving, has been boosted further by the publicity spin-off from their triumph.
Not only have the local and regional press and radio feasted on the story, television company Carlton had called to reconnoitre the pub for a Taste of the West feature which, if it comes off, will be screened in August.
For the Pickwick Inn, which attracts customers from all parts of the county, such exposure can have a real impact on trade. Sure enough, despite the ravages of foot-and-mouth, business was "extremely good", said Eddie. Even the poolside bar was playing its part, although on that day a northerly breeze had picked up and the swim suits had been put away.
"I would say that we are running at about 90 per cent capacity - and we've still got the summer to come."
Eddie and Jenny moved to Padstow "for the sake of the kids" 20 years ago and the Pickwick was their first pub. "I am an engineer by trade and it could have been a difficult change of direction," said Eddie. "But, thanks to my rugby playing, we soon got into a good social life and it wasn't hard at all. It is idyllic scenery down here and we enjoy the lifestyle and we enjoy the customers. I don't believe we could do it, otherwise."
This is not to say Eddie and Jenny have had it easy. Any newcomers to the pub industry will - and should - be warned not to expect that they can get away with sitting at the end of the bar entertaining their friends all day long.
Not only is running a pub hard work and long hours but, as the Pickwick undoubtedly proves, to be such a success in an increasingly competitive environment in which you are up against not only other pubs, but other leisure pursuits, independent licensees have to be boldly innovative and set themselves apart in the marketplace.
As the Stantons pointed out in their Publican Awards entry, "in a rural area business is always difficult but we have managed to smooth out the peaks and troughs and create all-year-round success".
"Despite the adversities - bad weather, recession, fuel strikes and the decline in farming and fishing - we have not only weathered the storm but our turnover has consistently increased."
The couple have also showed their determination in winning the award. In 1999 they were finalists and in 2000 they added a "highly commended" before their persistence claimed the top prize.
Behind that success, the Pickwick Inn is no ordinary operation. It has to compete with 26 other licensed premises within a six-mile radius and the Stantons are proud that none can offer what the Pickwick offers.
It would be amazing if they did. The pub is set in seven acres of land which Eddie and Jenny have thoroughly exploited.
It has its own organic gardens and greenhouses which make the Pickwick "almost self-sufficient" in fruit and vegetables and that saves the business enough cash to pay the wages of a full-time gardener and guarantees fresh veg grown yards from the plate.
Then there is the adventure playground, the bowling green, the tennis court and, of course, the heated outdoor swimming pool.
Built last year, the pool is open from noon, employs its own lifeguard and provides a venue for barbecues. Customers pay £2.50 for a dip and, despite last summer's appalling weather, it has already paid for itself.
More conventionally, the Pickwick is big on food. Even the staff from celebrity chef Rick Stein's nearby restaurant drop in for a bite, and Eddie is considering entering the Catering Pub of the Year contest for 2002 - or maybe he'll put it in for Family Pub.
Not that he is a habitual competition enterer. "I haven't got the time for that, but The Publican Newspaper is a good, useful magazine and I think the awards are worth going in for."
Not every pub can win awards, of course, and not every licensee is lucky enough to have a site like the Pickwick Inn. But operators like Eddie and Jenny Stanton are a supreme example of what can be achieved, and stand as an inspiration to all those who dream of running their own pub.
