Michael recently visited The Chequers Inn in Lytchett Matravers. It has been nominated as a South West regional finalist in the Countryside Alliance Rural Awards.
The Awards are the Countryside Alliance’s annual celebration of British food & farming, enterprise and heritage through our small hard-working businesses. The Rural Oscars are now in their sixteenth year and have become the definitive rural business award to win. They are set apart from other award schemes because they are driven by public nomination, offering customers the chance to tell us why their favourite businesses are worthy of national acclaim. The Rural Oscars received thousands of nominations this year, so The Chequers has done extremely well to reach the regional final.
Michael chatted to the landlady Vanessa about the challenges facing the pub, and heard how hundreds of people enjoy their food every week – particularly the infamous Sunday Carvery! He also heard about all the pub’s work for the community following the pandemic. A scheme that has touched the hearts of everyone in the village is the Chequers Inn Meal Club. Customers are invited to add £1 to their bill, which goes into the Kitty. When it reaches a certain amount, the pub lets the community know how many meals are available. Customers can then ask their server if they can use the Meal Club to pay for their food – with no judgement. This way people who are struggling can still enjoy a meal out with the family.
Michael said:
“It was brilliant to chat to Vanessa about how the business is going from strength to strength, and hear more about all the support the pub offers Lytchett Matravers. During the pandemic Vanessa and the team worked really hard to offer support to everyone at home, and this fantastic work is continuing, particularly through the thoughtful meal club. I’d encourage everyone to vote for The Chequers to win Rural Pub of the Year!”
You can vote for the pub to win the regional final, and go forward to the national finals here https://www.research.net/r/caawardsswbusiness
