Two Norfolk pubs have been recognised for their business success and support of their local community in the ‘Pub of The Year’ category at the Broadland and South Norfolk Business Awards 2024.
The Fox and Hounds, in Great Moulton, (Pictured above) was the winner for South Norfolk for the second year running. The winning pub for Broadland was the Acle Bridge Inn near Norwich.
Terry Stork, Pub is The Hub’s regional advisor for East Anglia and Lincolnshire, presented the awards, which were sponsored by Pub is The Hub, to both winners on the awards night, which took place at the Norwich City Football ground on 5 March, 2024.
Community involvement
According to the judges, publican Ali Holman and her staff, who run The Fox and Hounds in Great Moulton, offer a family friendly, dog friendly pub that ‘ticks all the boxes’. With locally sourced food and drink, community involvement and accessibility for all. The pub is the hub of the village, a place to dine with friends and family and forge friendships over a pint.
The Acle Bridge, with its stunning riverside location, lends itself to cater for the boating fraternity with ample moorings and outside facilities for young and old and their dogs. Vanessa and Phil have run this popular riverside pub for over 18 years. Their skills have been passed on to all the staff and you can readily see their attention to detail both front of house and behind the scenes.
Pub is The Hub advisor and judge of the awards Terry Stork said: “Big congratulations to all the finalists and especially to the two overall winners, in Broadland The Acle Bridge Inn, and in South Norfolk The Fox and Hounds. Both these pubs are run by superb publicans supported by their team of wonderful staff. These much-deserved awards show that even during these challenging times these pubs have fantastic initiatives to support their local communities.”
Inspired awards
He added: “A huge thanks to Broadland and South Norfolk Councils for running these inspired awards, providing a wonderful opportunity to showcase and acknowledge the pubs that have gone that extra mile within their respective communities.
The other finalists for South Norfolk Pub of The Year 2023 were The Cap in Harleston and The Wheel of Fortune in Alpington. The other finalists for Broadlands Pub of the Year were The Cantley Cock, Norwich and The Plough Inn, Marsham.
Pubs were initially nominated for the award by members of the public.
Photo credit ©Simon Finlay Photography.