EVENING MAIL
September 2010

A Lakes hotel devastated by last November's floods has continued its remarkable receovery with its pub cellar being crowned the best in Britain.

The swan hotel at Newby Bridge picked up the accolade at the Great British Pub Awards during a glitzy event in London.

The success follows months of intense renovation at the 52 roomed four star establishment since the unprecedented floods struck in November last year.
Hotel bar manager Craig Hadfield said:"Winning this award is a fantastic endorsement of all the work we have put into the cellar over the last two years. I'm thrilled to bits and grateful for the support of my team of staff who have helped to achieve this."

The award winning cellar is brand new. The original cellar suffered so much water damage that management took the opportunity to start again.
The hotel enjoys a busy bar trade with guests, diners and weddings each week.
It all adds up to steady demand for beer and Mr Hadfield said: " We have a strict programme of cellar maintenance and beer line cleaning which we stick to, no matterhow busy we get. It's the only way to maintain beer quality.

The cellar houses three cask ales, a range of wines, cider and bottled beers and is the Heineken brewery's largest contract in Cumbria. Paul Charity editor of drinks industry magazine Morning Advertiser which organises the awards said:" Craig and his team are to be congratulated for building a successful business, despite the difficulties currently facing the pub industry."

David Monk of Innserve which sponsors the Best Pub category said:"The team at the Swan stood out for their skill and dedication to delivering great draught beer. They thoroughly deserve to win this award."

Mr Hadfield travelled to London's Hilton Park Lane Hotel for the recent awards ceremony which was co-hosted by the Morning Advertiser and guest presenter Lenny Henry.