A DYNAMIC Uppermill pub duo has scored a double whammy by claiming a second top accolade in two months.
The ancient Cross Keys Inn, run by Dave Devine and Craig Wilkes, has added brewers JWLees Beer Ambassador of the Year title to their portfolio.
The award was presented at the brewers coveted Pub of the Year Awards when 120 tenants battled for top honours.
Brewery chief, William Lees-Jones, Managing Director of JW Lees, speaking at the awards ceremony, said: “I congratulate The Cross Keys Inn for their outstanding achievement.
“Today is the day we honour the very best licensees. It is paramount that we continue to put people at the heart of our business.”
Dave Devine and Craig Wilkes said: “We are very proud to have received this award, especially while being nominated against such other excellent pubs.
“We are very proud of the range of beers we have on offer and are dedicated to the traditional stillage and keeping of the beer we have adopted over the last 16 months.
“Obviously we wouldn’t have been able to achieve this without the excellent team we have as well as the support from the brewery.
“We will use this as a benchmark to continue to improve on what we have already achieved. Thanks again to JW Lees for the recognition shown in presenting us with this award.”
The Cross Keys beat nominees the Half Way House at Chorley and the Tandle Hill Tavern to top spot.
Two months ago dedicated drinkers raised glasses of special ale as the Cross Keys marked its fortieth consecutive appearance in CAMRA’s Good Beer Guide – one of only seven pubs in England to claim the accolade.
Angela and billy built up the cross Keys and turned it around into an amazing pub these guys are following on were they left I think the award should have gone to them