Pub Awards: Best Freehouse finalist - The White Horse Inn, Neatishead, Norfolk

And this approach to life is reflected in his pub – where, for example, it has an in-house brewery, its own gin brand, its own rapeseed oil and its own chutney.

The White Horse has been transformed from a previously sleepy existence and finished to an extremely high standard. It has the look and feel of a gastropub, but that is the last description Malt wants.

“We are not a gastropub, or a restaurant that pretends to be a pub. We are a pub that sells great food, and food that is really accessible,” he maintains.

And he is not just spinning a yarn. The menu has no fancy dishes with poncy descriptions. Burgers are the biggest sellers all year round, followed by steaks. Having said that, the White Horse team pride itself on the quality of ingredients, with local quality suppliers delivering daily to the premises.

Status

When you approach the bar, however, you understand why Ricky is so adamant about his ‘pub’ status. The White Horse has seven handpulls and nine kegs on at any one time – and, in a counterpoint, has an 18-strong gin menu.

The artisan approach to business is reflected in all aspects of the pub. “We take this artisan route to extremes and inconvenience ourselves at times,” says Malt. “But we believe in what we are doing.” And the customer numbers
back that claim up.