Freeman of the Borough is a rare honour given to people or organisations by a borough council for their outstanding service to the community.
Operators at The Tamworth Tap in Staffordshire, George and Louise Greenaway, were recognised by Tamworth Borough Council for promoting the town and benefiting the area commercially since they opened the 16th century Market Street pub in 2017.
The husband-and-wife duo have won multiple awards in recent years, including The Great British Pub Awards Best Beer Pub and The Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA) Pub of the Year, which has bought a “huge influx” of people to the area.
Huge influx
George Greenaway told The Morning Advertiser (MA): “We've seen a huge influx of people coming to the to The Tap, which has had a knock-on effect on the other real ale pubs as well.
“[There are] two or three coach trips each weekend, so we can have 150 people nearly on our door at opening time.”
He added the honour demonstrated the business was a "success" and "going in the right direction".
The pair were nominated for the honour in May this year and were presented with the award this week, after members of Tamworth Borough Council voted unanimously on the decision.
Greenaway added he has “always been a big supporter of the town” but “never imagined” this level of recognition.
He said: “Growing up in Tamworth, I've seen the pomp and ceremony with the mayor and the town hall and that sort of thing, but never imagined one day I'd be recognised by it all.
“It's one of those things when you're a kid, you see all that and never imagine one day you'll be the recipient.”
Just 16 people have been granted Freeman of the Borough by Tamworth Borough Council in total since its inception in 1951, and Louise was the first female recipient, Greenaway explained.
The operator proudly added she had been instrumental in seeing the business through the Covid pandemic.
Giving back
He said: “[The pub] was always considered ‘George's Tap’, granted I am there all week and Louise is a teacher and has her own career, but the direction and the events and getting through lockdown and Covid, we wouldn't have come out the other side if it wasn't for Louise and her organisational skills; we're a really good team.”
Councillor Nova Arkney, portfolio holder for infrastructure, heritage and local economy at Tamworth Borough Council praised the operators for sharing their success with the local community.
Arkeny said: “The Tamworth Tap has taken its success and given back to the people of Tamworth, bringing an old building back to life and attracting locals and visitors to our town.
“We’re delighted to bestow the honour of the title Freeman of the Borough to George and Louise.”
