Yew Tree celebrates top Cheshire pub accolade
Cask ale haven the Yew Tree Inn at Bunbury has been crowned Cheshire’s top pub – for the second year running. Now it will again be judged on the national stage next year.
The Yew Tree Inn team receive the Marketing Cheshire Tourism Pub of the Year accolade
Rescued from closure only three years ago the Yew Tree retained its title as Tourism Pub of the Year at a glittering Marketing Cheshire Annual Awards ceremony held at Tatton Park and hosted by Heart Breakfast presenter Angela Jay.
Competition judges have praised the Yew Tree for its staff motivation and training and offer of ‘good, honest food, good beers, wines and spirits providing value for money and friendly service’.
Earlier this year the Yew Tree represented Cheshire to claim bronze in the Tourism Pub of the Year class at the VisitEngland Awards for Excellence 2013 and will now be judged in the 2014 awards. The latest accolade adds to a raft of praise collected since it was refurbished and re-launched in 2010
The Spurstow hostelry was also voted both Cheshire’s Dining Pub of the Year by the prestigious Good Pub Guide 2014, the “North West’s Best Freehouse 2013″ in the BT Great British Pub Awards for 2013, and received the ‘Highest Quality Assured’ award from Taste North West.
The Good Pub Guide awards the Yew Tree stars for the outstanding food, exceptional beer quality, wine choice and ‘plenty of individuality’ while the Camra (Campaign for Real Ale) Good Beer Guide 2014 entry says ‘well worth the effort to seek out this great pub’.
Closed in 2007, the 19th century built inn was revamped and re-launched by publicans Jon and Lindsay Cox in 2010. Since then more than 350 cask-conditioned beers – most from SIBA brewers – have appeared on the six hand pull bar and there’s ‘Meet the Maker’ events with brewers and wine producers as well as beer festivals. The prestigious Michelin Guide and Sawdays guides also praise the pub.
Jon Cox said: “We are amazed and thrilled to win again. It shows that we are consistent in what we do – and that the team take great pride in their work. As many pubs are struggling to survive, this recognition from such a prestigious competition is terrific. It justifies our faith in the pub’s potential. We have a strong informal dining offer but we also strive to keep the Yew Tree as a real pub. We love cask ale and we love local people and tourists popping in for a drink alongside our diners.”
