THE MANAGEMENT team of a popular Malvern pub have said they have been left ‘over the moon’ after winning a special award for their dedicated service – just six months after they took it over.
Rob Bough and Charlotte Hawthorne, the managers of The New Inn, were crowned the winners of the Marstons Pub Southern Regional Finals for their efforts in giving the Lower Howsell Road pub a new lease of life since taking charge back in January.
The couple, who have worked immensely hard to make the pub a huge part of the community, fought off around a dozen pubs across the southern parts of the country to win the award with victory meaning they will compete in Marston’s national finals event taking place later this year.
Mr Bough told the Observer: “We are over the moon to win this award, it means everything to us,” he said.
“To be recognised for our efforts is really nice and shows that we are doing something right. To be honest we never thought that we would win the award. We felt it was a great honour to be nominated but felt we were going there just to make up the numbers.
“We are enjoying being here and are working hard to get the pub to how it was ten years ago back in its heyday. We are making great strides as a community pub but there is still a lot of work to do.”
Since taking over the pub Rob and Charlotte have been keen to get the community involved and have organised several successful charity fun days which have raised hundreds of pounds.
Rob added: “People here want a pub that serves the community and want a pub to be proud of and that is what we are simply trying to achieve.
“For us it is not just about the taking but giving back to the community as well and we are so pleased that these charity days have been a big success so far.”
The pub is to hold another charity day during the August Bank Holiday weekend with funds raised being donated to the Fireman’s Benevolent Fund.
