A Cumbrian gastropub has been named among the best in the UK – seven months after it first opened its doors.
Heft, in High Newton, is owned by Nicola and Kevin Tickle and they discovered that it has been featured in the prestigious Estrella Damm UK Top 50 Gastropubs awards list at number 33.
The UK’s best pub chefs, many with Michelin stars, gathered last night at Escape to Freight Island, in Manchester, for the return of this much anticipated live event.
The awards, now in their 13th year, are designed to showcase the very best pubs and pub food in Great Britain.
Each year the awards are voted for by hundreds of top foodies and hospitality experts. These include food writers, catering development managers and executive chefs, celebrity and top hospitality industry chefs, pub guide editors, industry chiefs and food operators – all of which means the list really is decided by the industry.
Kevin and Nicola began their journey to create Heft in 2020, embarking on phase one of their development project, to fully refurbish the former 17th century Cumbrian coaching inn.
The couple finally opened the doors in July 2021.
Kevin said: ‘’Being listed in the Top 50 Gastropubs awards list for the first time at number 33 especially after such a turbulent period for the whole industry is amazing.
“It really is down to everyone involved and this recognises what we’ve all achieved in a relatively short space of time. We have definitely created something special and we’re pushing ahead with what we wanted to achieve for the pub, and this recognises where we want to be.’’
