Meet the winner of the Greene King Pub of the Year 2023

Marie and Steve Harris have only been running the Greene King site for the past three years and were new to the trade when they took it on just before the Covid pandemic hit.

Despite those challenges, they used the lockdowns to transform what had previously been a run-down site and created a business that in three short years, has already started to garner serious awards, with the pinnacle so far, being named Greene King Pub of the Year at the Great British Pub Awards in Manchester recently.

Community heart​

The couple have quickly established themselves at the heart of the community in Lyndhurst, Hampshire, providing facilities and events for the area’s organisations and charities, as well as campaigning and raising considerable amounts of money, including for the local Christmas lights fund.

An innovative approach to running a pub has seen the couple not only embrace dogs at the site, but even provide washing facilities in the garden for muddy pooches, and offering a doggy-focused Sunday roast, which has proven a hit as well.

An impressive outdoor aviary is also a prominent feature in the pubs extensive garden space, adding entertainment and colour for visitors both young and old.

Team focus​

Judges were also impressed by the couple’s focus on the team, with great support and training available for all team members.

That has enabled them to build a strong, focused and dedicated team which has been in place since the pub launched.

Steve and Maria also bring their infectious personality to the operation, particularly when it comes to social media, with the pair regularly starring in videos for TikTok and Facebook – a move that has resonated extremely well with the customers.

Full list of 2023 GBPA winners:​

Great British Pub of the Year 2023 – the Cholmondeley Arms, Malpas, Cheshire​

Best City/Urban Pub – the Turks Head, Twickenham, Greater London​

Best Country/Rural Pub – the Cholmondeley Arms, Malpas, Cheshire​

Best Pub for Food – the Loch & The Tyne, Old Windsor, Berkshire​

Best Pub for Dogs – the Bellflower, Garstang, Lancashire​

Best Pub for Families – the Plough, Normanton on the Wolds, Nottinghamshire​

Best Pub for Entertainment – the Kings Arms, Bexleyheath, south east London​

Best Pub Garden – Gaggle of Geese, Buckland Newton, Dorset

Best Pub to Watch Sport – the Royal Dyche, Burnley, Lancashire​

Best Sustainable Pub – Stroud Brewery Taproom, Stroud, Gloucestershire

Best Pub Chef – Charlotte Vincent, Candlelight Inn, Chard, Somerset

Best Young Pub Chef – Karl Quirante, the Cricketers, Ormskirk, Lancashire

Community Hero – the Old Abbey Taphouse, Manchester​

Admiral Pub of the Year – Boot & Shoe, Ackworth, Pontefract, West Yorkshire​

Stonegate Pub of the Year – the Woodman, Ruislip, north west London​

Greene King Pub of the Year – the Stag, Lyndhurst, Hampshire

Marston’s Pub of the Year – Rose & Crown, Worcester, Worcestershire​

Punch Pub of the Year – the Plough, Prestbury, Gloucestershire