Publican Award-winning licensee celebrates win for second time
The licensee of The Publican Award-winning Freehouse of the Year, the Angel Inn at Hetton, has been celebrating his win for the second time.
Owner Denis Watkins was presented with a brass plaque commemorating his win when he was visited by representatives of licensed property agent Christie & Co, which sponsored the award.
The 550-year-old pub, which is near Skipton in the Yorkshire Dales, was commended by the judges for "the sheer quality of the pub and the very high standards set".
Mr Watkins, who is married with four children, took over the Angel Inn 19 years ago after starting is career in the hotel trade, and has established it as a highly successful bar, brasserie and restaurant which attracts customers from as far afield as Manchester, Leeds, Bradford and London.
The Angel Inn was nominated for the prestigious award by the Leeds office of Christie & Co.
Director Ian Wilkie said: "I am delighted that a freehouse in Yorkshire has won this award and would like to congratulate Denis Watkins and his staff on this well-deserved achievement.
"The Angel Inn is firmly established as one of a number of high quality inns within Yorkshire which have been at the forefront of promoting fine dining within a traditional pub environment."
Christie & Co director Colin Wellstead, who was on the panel of judges, said: "This is without question the most prestigious award open to freehouse owners and the Angel Inn is truly one of the highest calibre outlets in the UK.
"Denis Watkins ranks among those at the very top of the licensed industry. He sets the highest standards and without question acts as a role model for others."
Related articles:
Publican Awards 2002 salute industry's best (27 March 2002)
