Manor House goes local to find success

Going local has helped a Leicestershire pub pick up a host of happy customers as well as a cabinet full of awards.

After several years working in the trade for other companies Philip Triggs and Ian Banks decided to set up their own business.

Two-and-a-half-years on and The Manor House, in Quorn, Leicestershire, has earned a reputation as a pub with fantastic real ale and a menu full of delicious locally sourced food.

In 2006 it won the area's Family Friendly Award, was runner-up in both the 2007 Best Local Produce Award and the Shine award for Best Pub Food 2008.

It has also won a Beautiful Beer Gold award from the British Beer & Pub Association and was named the Campaign for Real Ale's most improved pub in 2006.

Philip said: "We didn't set out to win awards, we set out to do something different but getting recognition is fantastic."

A number of innovations have helped the pub's success, such as becoming the county's first pub to go smoke-free and using waiter service for both diners and drinkers.

But arguably the most important ingredient is their decision to provide a regularly updated menu, using 100 local suppliers.

Philip said: "We wanted to raise the bar and do proper food in a good pub. Our food is locally sourced and generally comes from either Leicestershire or Nottinghamshire.

"More and more customers are more interested in where food comes from, their carbon footprint and supporting local economies

"We have been evolving it for two and a half years and we will keep evolving it."

And they have even managed to replicate the success of the Punch-owned tenancy at two other venues in the region and are now hoping to do the same with a fourth, Everards pub the Royal Oak in Rothley.