A local pub was celebrating today after being crowned Shropshire’s top County Dining Pub of the Year.
The Fox in Chetwynd Aston beat off competition from more than 650 pubs to win the prestigious Good Pub Guide award.
“We are all just absolutely delighted,” said live-in licensee Samantha Malloy.
“This is the one accolade that we’ve really been itching for since we opened.”
The Fox has previously been recommended by the well-respected Good Pub Guide, but has never won the prize of Shropshire’s best eatery.
This year’s edition of the guide went on sale yesterday, and their glowing praise for the Edwardian-style pub is sure to boost business.
“It’s been a very busy year for us and this is just a reward for all the hard work that the staff have put in,” added Mrs Malloy, who took over as manager of The Fox two years ago.
“The awards are largely decided by recommendations from visitors, which makes it all the more special.
“We have had to keep this news under our hats for a while, so it will be fantastic to tell our regulars.
“This really is one of the top awards in the trade.”
The County Dining Pub of the Year is awarded to pubs who offer imaginative, top quality meals as well as a good atmosphere.
The Good Pub Guide consider feedback from their 2,000 readers before carrying out their own inspection of meals and menus.
“With so many innovative chefs working in the country’s top dining pubs, our task of choosing a County Dining Pub can be extremely difficult,” said guide editor Fiona Stapley.
“What we are really looking for is a pub where people truly enjoy eating out.”
The Fox has bucked the trend during the economic downturn, which has hit the pub industry particularly hard.
They have enjoyed a successful year of business and still employ around 40 staff, including seven in the kitchen.
But Mrs Malloy has reassured their loyal customers that they will not rest on their laurels.
She added: “It’s been a very good 12 months for us, helped by some nice weather.
“But we certainly won’t get complacent and let the standards drop.
“Last Christmas was particularly good for us and we’ll be looking to repeat that success this year.”
Staff at The Fox will allow themselves a small celebration today as their triumph becomes public.
But the champagne will then be back on ice until November when the pub celebrates its fifth birthday.
By Sean Wozencroft