By The MA, 16-Mar-2017
Pioneering food couple Tim Bird and Mary McLaughlin have used their vast experience in the foodservice sector to build their growing fleet of seven food-led pubs. Read More
Tonight at a glittering dinner in Manchester the Roebuck Inn scooped the Best Premium Casual Restaurant in South Manchester! This is fantastic recognition of the work that has gone in to bringing the Roebuck Inn back to life after a three year closure!
Charlie our Bistro manager collected the award supported by Jake (who helped open the Roebuck Inn back in May last year) and Barry from the Bulls Head as well as Simon from the Church Inn. All the Mobberley pubs were up for different awards but it was the Roebuck Inns turn this year beating some very worthy finalists! Simon said he was very proud of Charlie who started as an Assistant Manager with Simon and helped the Church Inn win Best Pub at the same awards in 2015!
Well done to all the Mobberley businesses and a very special well done to Charlie and the Roebuck Inn team who deserve this great recognition!
Awards
Winner the ‘Eat, Sleep and Drink Awards’ Best Premium Casual Dining Restaurant in South Manchester/Cheshire 2017
Despite being a rather enviable task, selecting the best pub in the UK is not easy, I assure you. Readers will know and appreciate the level of business practice and hospitality that we showcase in every issue of Pub & Bar, so identifying one single outlet and saying “this is the best” felt nigh on impossible.
Although Roebuck dates back to 1708 it has been restored and styled with café tables, red leather sofas and candles
Nothing is likely to warm you against the winter chill like a splash of Mediterranean, found deep in Cheshire.
Serving sunshine flavours and local craft beers, ciders and an extensive wine list, this eclectic gem redefines rustic.
Although Roebuck dates back to 1708 it has been restored and styled with café tables, red leather sofas and candles
Cheshire Cat Pub and Bars, has been named as ‘Pub Group of the Year 2016/17’ by the prestigious Good Pub Guide. The award follows a string of successes for the company over the year including being chosen as the Best Drinks Act in the UK at the Publican Awards in London.
The Good Pub Guide is the number one selling guide book for pubs in the UK. This award is given from the guide to pub groups that are first rate in every way and run by people who really care about both their pubs and their customers. The 2017 Good Pub Guide will feature over 5,000 pubs demonstrating just how stiff the competition is.
Owner Tim Bird comments: “This is a true accolade and we are very, very proud indeed. This award will mean the world to our entire team and our customers, as it recognises our teams huge efforts in helping us run wonderfully individual pubs well. It also recognises our collective efforts in rescuing pubs that were previously closed down or lost causes. Our pubs and Inns now shine brightly for our many loyal customers to enjoy for many years to come”.
The pub group was chosen by Fiona Stapeley, editor of the Good Pub Guide, and were marked on a range of criteria from the quality of service to product range, aesthetic design and the pub’s hospitality.
“The pubs have a great deal of individuality both in their décor, their choice of drinks, their food and their atmosphere,” says Fiona. “These pubs have consistently good feedback from all our readers. As I edit the book it becomes obvious which group of pubs really stand out head and shoulders above the others. Of course competition is stiff, but this year it was a straight-forward choice for me.”
Cheshire Cats Pubs & Bars is owned and operated by Tim Bird and Mary McLaughlin, who have a collection of award winning pubs across Cheshire, Staffordshire and Dorset. Earlier this year the group were voted the Best Drinks Act in the UK at the prestigious Publican Awards ceremony in London. Their Church Inn won the coveted award of ‘UK’s Best Pub’ this summer, as well as their Fitzherbert Arms in Staffordshire scooping Sawday’s ‘Best Newcomer’.
The Fitzherbert Arms in Swynnerton has been voted as the ‘Best Newcomer’ in the prestigious Sawday’s Pubs & Inns Guide of England & Wales. The award comes after the Fitzherbert saw off competition from more than 800 pubs also featured in the guide.
The Fitzherbert Arms, located on Lord Stafford’s estate, re-opened in February this year after a period of significant restoration work that saw the famous 19th Century pub restored to its former glory as a lovely, quintessential village pub that oozes character and charm.
Tim Bird, owner of Cheshire Cat Pubs & Bars who operate the Fitzherbert Arms, comments; “With nearly 800 pubs featured in this year’s guide, winning an award so soon after opening is a fantastic achievement for the team. What’s more important however is to see the positive response we’ve had from customers and to see such a famous old pub thriving again.”
The judges were impressed with the pub’s enticing décor, featuring creative interiors and pieces such as a blacksmith forge and unique anvil tables. The guide also praises the mix of customers from dog-walkers and ale-drinkers to those who have travelled from further afield to enjoy the quality food and impressive range of ports.
Other highlights featured include the beautiful open-plan feel, warmed by three cosy fires, a ‘friendly vivacious team’ as well as the platefuls of flavoursome food ranging from seafood platters, steak and stout pies, crumbles, brownies and port-poached pears all served on old fashioned tables.
The Fitzherbert Arms was also praised for its range of drinks that include 30 different ports (more than any other pub in the country), 16 wines by the glass and a real cider as well as four cask ales from within a 35 mile radius of the pub. There is a cosy snug, a private dining room and a charming outside summer terrace.
Tim Bird and Mary McLaughlin operate seven country pubs, five in Cheshire, one in Dorset and now one in Staffordshire and have won numerous awards for restoring pubs of great heritage and character. Their estate includes the award winning and lovingly restored Cholmondeley Arms on Lord Cholmondeley’s estate, The Church Inn and Bull’s Head in Mobberley and The Red Lion in Weymouth. Their latest venture, the Roebuck Inn in Mobberley, has also now opened to offer a boutique Bistro with six eclectic rooms.
The Church Inn in Mobberley, Cheshire, has been recognised as the best pub in the UK, after securing the top title at last night’s National Pub & Bar Awards. Read More on the Pub & Bar website
The Church Inn in Mobberley, Cheshire, has won the coveted title of ‘Best Pub in the UK’. The Award was presented by Pubs Minister, Marcus Jones MP, at the National Pub & Bar Awards Grand Final, which took place at London’s iconic BAFTA theatre on Tuesday 24 May 2016.
The Church Inn saw off stiff competition from a total of 94 county pub winners from across England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. After winning the North West award, the pub went on to be awarded the overall UK title from journalist and food critic, Jay Rayner.
Tim Bird, owner of Cheshire Cat Pubs & Bar and operator of The Church Inn, comments; “This is fantastic news and great recognition of a real team effort. We don’t profess to being perfect all the time, but constantly work to please our guests and offer them a great pub experience. With the trophy safely on our mantelpiece, it’s now back to business as usual, serving well and cooking well.”
The pubs were judged by a panel of experts, who visited the 94 pubs on the list, and were marked on a range of criteria from the quality of service to product range, aesthetic design and the pub’s hospitality.
“The shortlisted pubs each represent all that is great about the modern British pub,” says Tristan O’Hana, editor of Pub & Bar magazine. “It’s been an absolute pleasure to visit such a fantastic variety of pubs across the UK during the judging process – but there can be only one winner and The Church Inn is a very worthy recipient as it offers an exceptional drinking and dining experience. Well done to all involved.”
The Church Inn is owned and operated by Cheshire Cats Pubs & Bars, who have a collection of award winning pubs across Cheshire, Staffordshire and Dorset. Earlier this year were voted the Best Drinks Act in the UK at the prestigious Publican Awards ceremony in London.