Norfolk pub threatened with closure wins community pub award

The Fox and Hounds in Great Moulton won the coveted title after nearly closing just over a year ago. South Norfolk Council received a planning application to turn it into a home, but the planning committee refused.

One year later, licensees David Hayes and Jesse Charlebois collected their winners’ plaque and will get help from the council to put on a future community event worth £1,000.

Hayes said: "We are both over the moon. We had got it into our heads that we hadn’t won because we have only been at the Fox and Hounds a year and there is so much more work to do."

Judging chair councillor Sue Thomson said: “Congratulations to these two superb managers who in a year have turned a failing pub facing closure into a thriving and successful pub, right at the beating heart of its community. And congratulations to all in Great Moulton for helping to make this a great community pub.

"We started these awards after we met publicans and they were depressed about the future. They asked us to help. Since then, and every year, standards have risen higher and higher."

The South Norfolk judging panel included a range of local councillors along with Terry Stork from Pub is the Hub. The presentation ceremony was joined by John Longden chief executive of Pub is the Hub.

He said: "South Norfolk Council should be congratulated for organising this inspiring competition which showcases publicans and the fantastic work they do for communities."