Pub Awards: Best Newcomer finalist - The White Mare, Beckermet, Cumbria

Prior to a joint investment at the Star Pubs and Bars leasehold, the villagers had stopped their habit of visiting the pub, and were desperate for a family and community outlet. The White Mare did not disappoint and, with turnover up ten-fold, is now thriving.

The restaurant is driven by head chef Jon Fell and his love for fresh local fish, and the vast selection of Cumbrian produce perfectly complements the idyllic setting, featuring a stream running around the front family garden.

The healthy wet-led section of the pub is is served by live sport and top quality local beer. The transformation of the business has been completed by investments from the licensees into six renovated bedrooms.

Staff at the pub are treated like family, and given training to progress in the business. The customers are equally smitten with their new community hub, which is planning to add coffee mornings and a newspaper stall to boost its popularity on top of existing mother and toddler mornings, senior citizen lunches, quizzes, vinyl nights, beer and food pairing, karaoke, tapas and barbecues.