THE Cricketers in Curdridge has won the Pub Garden of The Year award at a pub industry’s Night of Excellence Awards.

The pub, which was also named the best venue in the Southeast at the National Pub and Bar Awards in 2022, received commendation in recognition of the recent transformation of its garden. This includes its new Pavilion Barn, which enables the full use of the garden all year round.

The barn provides covered seating for outside eating and drinking all year round. It features locally-made tables, heaters, blankets and a wood-fired pizza oven.

Alongside The Pavilion Barn, judges commended the pub for reconfiguring its large beer garden to create a secure space for children to enjoy a new play area which has been installed.

The Night of Excellence Awards celebrates the success of great licensees and the businesses they run in partnership with Greene King Pub Partners. There are 15 awards ranging from Community Pub of the Year to Food Pub of the Year, which are all sponsored by key suppliers to the pub sector and well-known brands such as Heineken, Coca-Cola, Diageo and Molson Coors. Entrants go through a strict judging process including mystery visits in order to be crowned award winners.

This year, the awards were held at a grand ceremony and dinner hosted at the Crowne Plaza hotel in Stratford-Upon-Avon, Warwickshire and was attended by numerous licensees from across the country who work with Greene King Pub Partners.

Other guests include representatives from the hospitality and pub sector including trade bodies, business leaders and more.

Stuart and Sally Downie, licensees of The Cricketers, said: “We are absolutely delighted to have won Pub Garden of the Year at the Night of Excellence Awards. Having placed a significant investment in the pub’s gardens to maximise use of it all year round, winning this award is particularly special. We would like to thank the whole team who run The Cricketers as without them this award would not be possible.”

Rob Ayling, the business development manager for Greene King Pub Partners, said: “Well done to Stuart, Sally and the team at The Cricketers for winning Pub Garden of the Year. The pub’s excellent garden is combined with great beer, food and service meaning this pub is a must visit, particularly as we head into the summer.”