Pub Awards: Best Family finalist - The Puss in Boots

The Puss in Boots is a powerhouse of a family pub, catering for more than 2,000 covers a week, with a first-rate carvery and the recent addition of pizzas, which have gone down a storm with kids.

Run by Almond Family Pubs (director James Almond is pictured, above, with general manger Nick Bateson) and leased from Robinsons Brewery, the company has turned the site’s fortunes around since taking it over five years ago.

Converting it from a pre-club drinking venue, the family have created a thriving, popular family destination and increased revenue more than tenfold. After a massive refurbishment the pub continues to go from strength to strength, and the recent addition of a playground has boosted the business even further, adding to the appeal for families.

Free meals

There’s a great range of children’s options on the menu, with free carvery plates for the youngest on offer. Healthy options include pasta dishes with hidden vegetables, while the pub’s chicken nuggets are made from chicken breast meat.

A tie-up with local estate agents means all new families moving into the area are given promotional discounts to come and eat at the pub, while loyalty discount cards are available to people who work within the local area. With a huge outdoor space proving a good draw in the summer, the pub is now looking to extend its appeal into the colder months by investing in a conservatory.