[T]he Kings Arms, in Burton in Kendal, has been named as a finalist in a national Pubs in Bloom competition.
Thwaites Brewery opened up the competition to its 250 pubs around the country to celebrate those who made their property stand out from the crowd.
Judges named six finalists who were all put forward for their colourful hanging baskets, eye-catching planters and outstanding kerb appeal.
Licensee at The Kings Arms, Neil France who runs the pub with his wife Ann, said: “We have been here for eight years now and we always ensure the front looks clean and appealing because it says a lot about your standards – each year we have added to the flowers so it’s got better and better.”
This has included introducing a courtyard area at the back of the pub, and more recently, a secret garden next to the restaurant. But other additions have included pots of mint that passers-by can help themselves to and two straw dolls who were named Bertie and Gertie by local children.
Ann France added: “Every year we look round and think what can we do next – we are always thinking about the guest experience and what they see , so it’s all about making the right impression all the time. And of course all the flowers really brighten the place up.”
Judges were impressed with the time and effort that had been put into making the pubs look so appealing.
Judge Toni Naylor, Pub Marketing Executive at Thwaites, said: “It’s been fantastic to see so many of our pubs join in the competition. It was all about making pubs look appealing so people take notice and want to go inside – we know once they’re inside they’ll enjoy a warm welcome and great food and beer.
“We got loads of pubs really going the extra mile so choosing our six finalists and an overall winner was really difficult. The Kings Arms were against some tough competition, so did really well to be named a finalist
“We love how they think about the community every step of the way – from letting the local area use space at the back of the car park for allotments, through to running a competition for local children to name their straw dolls.”
The overall competition winner was The Shoal Hill Tavern in Cannock.
