Taking a risk by launching a crowdfunding scheme to deliver a better future for a village pub, its customers and the community, has paid off handsomely with a major national award.
Last month’s Great British Pub Awards 2024 saw The Tollemache Arms in Harrington not only pick up a category win in Best Country Pub, but was also named Overall Great British Pub of the Year at the ceremony at the Victoria Warehouse in Manchester.
Making it a double success for the county were the team from Greedy Gordons, who picked up the acclaimed Punch Pub of the Year Award for the Red Lion at Cranford. It was a second triumph for The Red Lion, having also won the Publican of the Year Award at The Punch Publican of the Year Awards a week earlier.
Joe Buckley, owner of The Tollemache Arms, launched a crowdfunder in March to help fund refurbishment plans that would create more dining space, cosier surroundings and improved outdoor areas. Inviting people to make pledges in exchange for rewards like meal vouchers, private hire offers and home delivery, the scheme smashed its target in just three and a half days.
Joe said:
“We have worked very hard over the past nine years to turn the Tolly into a quality-led pub and restaurant and we are incredibly proud to win these awards. We’ve made a conscious effort to raise the bar, costs are going up and people are expecting to pay more but for that they expect a bit more and that’s what we try to deliver.
“Congratulations to Greedy Gordons as well, it’s great for the county. I think it’s testament to people like Rachel Mallows who has done so much to improve the food scene in this county over the past few years. It’s not just pubs and restaurants but we’ve got food producers, breweries and the likes of Warner’s Distillery, which is 150 yards down the road from here.
“So many producers who are passionate about what they do and when you have suppliers like that, you feel like you can’t go wrong, it’s so good, all I have to do is cook it and serve it. And the great thing is there are new ones setting up all the time.
“I’m delighted for Richard. I’ve followed what he’s been doing for some time now and he is a real inspiration to me, and hopefully we will all give inspiration to the next generation. It’s a county that’s now known as a food destination and people want to come here to try what’s on offer, and long may that continue.”
Richard Gordon, who runs the Greedy Gordons portfolio of pubs and culinary venues with business partner Sonya Harvey, said:
“We are incredibly proud to be ardent ambassadors and champions of the exceptional food and drink Northamptonshire has to offer. This prestigious pub accolade recognising our ongoing efforts, which comes hot on the heels of our Publican of the Year Award for The Red Lion at the recent Punch Publican of the Year Awards, is definitely the icing on the cake!”
Another popular pub in the Greedy Gordons business group, The Snooty Fox in Lowick, also received recognition after being announced as a finalist in the Best Country Pub of the Year award category at the Great British Pub Awards.
Find out more about The Tollemache Arms at their website.
For more information about Greedy Gordons, go to their website.
