Batemans celebrates top tenants

Sarah and Chris Sorrell, of the Dog and Bone in Lincoln, picked up the accolade of Publican of the Year – one month after they received CAMRA’s Pub of the Year Award for Lincoln for the second year in a row. The couple have been running the pub for two years and marks their return to the pub industry after a hiatus of more than seven years.

Joanne Buckland, of the King’s Head in Horncastle, won the Cellar Management award for the second time since she took over running the pub from her mother – and this is the sixth time in a row this pub has received the award.

Awards were also won by the Butcher and Beast in Heighington, The Ship Inn in Chapel St Leonards and The Plough in Nettleham for their floral displays in the Urban, Rural and Winter categories respectively.

Stuart Bateman, managing director of Batemans Brewery, said: “Sarah and Chris have achieved so much over the last two years, we felt they had to be the winners of our Publican of the Year Award.

“Since taking over the pub, they’ve increased trade by 40%, which is a considerable accomplishment, and made it a real hub of the community, hosting ‘Stich ‘n’ Bitch’ craft and chat mornings, cookery competitions and film nights, among other activities. The CAMRA awards were also an incredible result – the first time one of our pubs has won such prestigious accolades.”

Sarah Sorrell said: “We’re over the moon to have won Publican of the Year. The success we’ve enjoyed since we took over The Dog and Bone proves to us that customers want a traditional pub – one which offers them real ale and is the hub of their community. We’re looking forward to building on our achievements throughout the rest of the year.”