A LONGPARISH gastro pub has won a pair of prestigious awards.

The Cricketers Inn has received the National Good Food Award for Gastro Pubs, as well as the TripAdvisor Travellers Choice Award.

This is the second year in a row that the inn has received these particular awards.

Pub owner Matt Etherington said that he was pleased to win the awards for the second year in a row.

He continued: “It just feels really good.

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“We work really hard and it’s why we do it, it makes us feel like it’s worthwhile and going in the right direction.

“So, it feels really good.”

Matt wanted to thank the core members of his team, Pauline and Terina Dale and Jack Barber, for everything they had done to help the pub succeed, as well as the other members of the team.

He also thanked the regular customers who frequent The Cricketers Inn: “We have a lot of repeat custom locally, so obviously big thanks for the continued, fantastic support that we get locally.

“And thank you to the wider team that works here, obviously, because without them we wouldn’t be where we are.”

Matt, a professional chef, took on the Cricketers Inn in early 2020, just before the first Covid-19 lockdown.

The lockdown gave Matt a chance to refurbish the pub, which reopened in May 2020 serving takeaways, which Matt says was “heavily supported by the community.”

Matt continued: “In the second lockdown we expanded the takeaway to include a little shop in the bar which was a little butchery and fishmongers.

“So, we got through the lockdowns doing that, and in the in-between bits we have been building up a good reputation.

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“And then, obviously, after the lockdowns ended, we’ve gone from strength to strength.”

Based in Longparish, the pub specialises in fresh fish and game, which Matt calls “fairly unusual around here.”

He concluded: “We’re always warm, always cosey, always welcoming.”

The Good Food award recognises those who strive for culinary excellence within their field, while the TripAdvisor Travellers Choice award celebrates the best travel spots identified by TripAdvisor users.

For more information about the Cricketers Inn go to thecricketersinnlongparish.com.