Ramsbottom pub named best in the country

A Greater Manchester pub with a social conscience has been named the best in the country.

The Eagle and Child in Ramsbottom has been declared the John Smith’s Great British Pub of the Year at a ceremony in London.

It beat off strong competition from pubs from across England, Scotland and Wales to take the prestigious title.

Licensee Glen Duckett and his team took on the boarded-up pub six years ago, creating an operation that is more than just a pub.

It’s part of EAT Pennines, an award-winning social enterprise which helps disadvantaged young people into training and employment.

Since opening the Eagle and Child in October 2011, they’ve supported over 100 young people via the pub and sister sites in Heaton Park and Contour Homes, Didsbury, with more than 75% progressing on to a career in hospitality.

They’ve also won a string of awards including Best Food Pub at the Manchester Food and Drink Awards in 2014 and 2016.

Ed Bedington, editor of the Morning Advertiser which organises the awards, said: “The Eagle and Child is a great example of what can be achieved in the modern pub trade.

“This is not only a first rate operation, with a great food and drink offer in stylish surroundings, this is a pub that is truly giving back to the community. We talk about pubs being part of the fabric of the communities within which they operate, and this couldn’t be truer for Glen’s business.

“We created the awards to provide recognition for operators that are going above and beyond in the pub sector, and Glen is a worthy holder of the title of Great British Pub of the Year. ”

“I’m absolutely in awe,” said Glen. “To pick up Best Partnership Pub and then Best Pub overall is just amazing. I’m totally overwhelmed. We won the award I was expecting to win but this has totally caught me by surprise. We really weren’t expecting it. I’m elated by what we have done and how we push young people to make themselves as employable as possible.”