Meet the GBPA nominees: Best Family Pub sponsored by Coca-Cola European Partners
This category is open to pubs for who the family market has been a key part of their business success in the past year.
The Boot, Sarratt, Hertfordshire
Defending their title from last year, Zoe Eliasson and Nick Idle will be hoping to achieve the double in this year’s Great British Pub Awards.
Having impressed with their family-focused operation in 2016, the pair have stepped up their game again with not only new additions to the pub but also a new addition to the family, with the birth of their first child. That has further sharpened their attention to family needs and the pub now offers increased facilities for parents with younger children, which are proving a hit.
With a strong connection to the local area, Zoe and Nick have built up a fantastic business in a very short space of time. However, we’ll have to wait for the judges verdict to see if they are able to hang on to their much-prized crown for a second year running.
The Chequers, Houghton Conquest, Bedfordshire
This pub’s huge five-acre garden is a strong draw for local families, and with play equipment to suit children of a variety of different ages there’s plenty for them to get to grips with.
The introduction of home-made pizzas has proven a big hit, as well as generating some odd requests such as a chicken-nugget pizza. A good range of soft drinks helps complement the food offer, and is designed to appeal across the child age spectrum.
This is a pub that puts a great deal of effort into catering for younger customers, from the day-to-day operations through to special events, one of which sees the pub host an end-of-school party every year to celebrate the start of the summer holidays. The Chequers is certainly seeking to ensure that it is building a strong customer base into the future.
The Eastfield Inn, Bristol
With a dedicated family room offering a large soft play area, this is a pub that is proving a big hit with families. As well as soft play, the family room includes a dedicated reading area featuring bean bags and a toy chest for children to delve into.
Unisex baby-changing facilities have also proven a hit with mums and dads, and when the sun is shining there’s fun to be had in the beer garden which is well served with play equipment and also features a mix of animals from fish through to chickens and rabbits.
A recent innovation has seen the pub starting to host children’s classes, covering a range of topics from music and arts and crafts, through to dancing and reading. The introduction of “toddler tapas” has proved popular and ensures the families keep on visiting.
The Fox & Hounds, Theale, Reading
This Wadworth pub, managed superbly by Jayne Tilsley and Miles Teece, is a powerhouse of an operation with family firmly at its heart.
With a fully-enclosed garden and nearby nature reserve, the pub has become a firm favourite of those living in the surrounding area. A mature approach to family fare has seen the pub eschewing the typical children’s menu, instead giving kids the chance to choose smaller plates from the main menu, a move that has gone down well with guests, young and old alike.
And while children are guaranteed a great visit, the pub does not ignore four-legged family members, offering dog treats on the bar, and even a special dog beer. Those efforts have already been recognised with the pub being declared a regional winner in the Dog-friendly Pub Awards.
The Snow Goose, Farnborough, Hampshire
Taking a former struggling, rundown pub and turning it into a family-focused haven has proven a huge success for operators Kate Hayden and Paul Warriner. Making the switch from managing Whitbread sites to running her own business has paid off for Kate, and she and Paul have created a business to be proud of.
Offering separate spaces for adult drinkers and families by dividing the bar is a great touch and allows for a harmonious operation, with adults not only having their own space inside but also having an individual grown up’s-only beer garden, while families and kids have their own spacious garden featuring castles and pirate-ship play equipment alongside a menagerie of animals ranging from rabbits and guinea pigs to baby micro-pigs!
The Rose & Crown, St Albans, Hertfordshire
This St Albans-based business is a firm favourite with local families and with its emphasis on trying to make the experience of visiting a pub with kids as easy as possible, it’s no surprise why.
Entertainment abounds, with everything from a games cupboard offering colouring-in books and stickers to board games, a weatherproof table tennis table in the garden for those looking to create their own Wimbledon tournament, and a bouncy castle outside to allow the kids to burn off some energy.
With the licensee’s twin daughters overseeing the children’s menu, a strong range of kids’ favourites are included and have proved a big hit with visitors. Family-focused events complete the offer and include a dog show, Sandridge Scruffs, featuring a new obstacle course for this year.
Tickets for the Great British Pub Awards can be bought by phoning 01293 846508. For more information about the event visit its dedicated website.
