The popular boozer celebrated a double win at The Great British Pub Awards 2017
The Eagle and Child celebrated a double win at the finals of The Great British Pub Awards which took place in London on 7th September.
The Ramsbottom based pub and restaurant won the Best Partnership Pub award after impressing the judges with their inclusive work as a social enterprise.
The popular Lancashire pub then went on to beat off strong competition from outlets from across England, Scotland and Wales to take the prestigious overall title of The John Smith’s Great Pub of The Year 2017 – the biggest award of the night, known as the Oscars of the pub industry.
After taking over the tenancy of the Daniel Thwaites pub, licensee Glen Duckett has consistently supported over 100 local disadvantaged youngsters, including some young offenders and those with disabilities, with over 75% of them progressing onto a further career in hospitality.
As the Eagle and Child’s website states, “as a social business our key objective is to support marginalised young people into work. We’re still rated as one of the best food pubs in Greater Manchester, so while enjoying our great hospitality, you can also feel good about helping to change young people’s lives.”
Their huge garden is also the headquarters for Incredible Edible, the community small-holding, run by volunteers, which grows fruit, vegetables and herbs, much of which supplies the kitchen. It is also home to several rescue chickens which run freely and supply eggs for the breakfasts.
The Eagle and Child has become a thriving business since Glen took over the reins only six years ago and has won several other local and national awards. After further investment from the brewery, the pub has recently undergone further renovation to help restore the building to its former glory as a coaching inn. Five ‘owl themed’ new bedrooms have been added, two of which include Juliette balconies, allowing for views across Ramsbottom and Holcombe Moor. The handsome stone pub now also has a new bar and an orangery dining area.
Ed Bedington, editor of The Morning Advertiser which organises the awards, said: “The Eagle and Child is a great example of what can be achieved in the modern pub trade. This is not only a first rate operation, with a great food and drink offer in stylish surroundings, this is a pub that is truly giving back to the community.
“We talk about pubs being at the centre of their communities, and this can’t be better illustrated than in the work being done at The Eagle and Child. Glen and his team have done sterling work in offering opportunities to people who may not have had them otherwise.”
Glen was understandably chuffed at being recognised for his efforts, saying “I am in awe. I am totally overwhelmed. To pick up Best Partnership Pub and then Best Pub overall is just amazing. I am elated by what we have done and how we push young people to make themselves as employable as possible.”
The Eagle and Child wasn’t the only regional winner in The Great British Pub Awards; The Coach and Four in Wilmslow picked up the award for 'Best Managed Pub of the Year' while Rumba in Macclesfield won 'Turnaround Pub of the Year'.
