Shoal Hill Tavern, Cannock, has been named best Pub in Bloom in a national competition.
Thwaites Brewery opened up the competition to its 250 pubs around the country to celebrate those who made their property stand out from the crowd.
Judges toured six finalists who were all put forward for their colourful hanging baskets, eye-catching planters and outstanding kerb appeal.
But it was Shoal Hill Tavern, on Sandy Lane, that emerged victoriously.
Licensee Doug Wilkinson said: “We have really transformed the place over the past six years and we have added to the flowers and outdoor area every year.
“When I first took the pub on it looked tired and one of the first things I did was put baskets outside so people could see the love that was being put into the pub.
“We salvage as much as we can so it can be used the following year and we try to think how we can best use the outdoor space – so we have log piles to encourage insects and animals, we’ve got a herb garden that is used by our kitchen and we have a fantastic view from our new sunken garden.”
Judges were impressed with the time and effort that had been put into making the pub look so appealing.
Flowers and plants are arranged in tiers to add to the visual impact, fresh herbs are sited next to diners so they can smell the different fragrances as they peruse menus and the herbs are used in the dishes, a 200-year-old holly hedge has been carefully replanted bit by bit to give it a new lease of life, and wildlife is encouraged through an array of bird feeders and log piles.
Judge Toni Naylor, Pub Marketing Executive at Thwaites, said: “Doug has really thought through how to make the best of the outdoor space around the pub.
“It is so striking when you arrive because of the wash of colour and the sheer volume of flowers there. But then you when you look closer you see all the other work and features that have taken place, like the different herbs and how they are being used in the menu and the nature areas that are attracting all sorts of wildlife.
“It certainly draws attention and makes you feel like you’re somewhere really special.”
Doug’s prize for winning the Thwaites Pubs in Bloom competition was £1,000 of beer.
