A POPULAR pub near Rugby and Lutterworth is one of just 15 pubs from across the country to reach the finals of a national competition.
The Chequers in Swinford has beaten around 200 entrants to be shortlisted for the Community Pub Hero Awards, organised by PubAid and the All-Party Parliamentary Beer Group, and sponsored by Matthew Clark.
The pub has supported many local organisations by hosting fund-raising events including a charity dog show, parties, a community barbecue, raffles, games nights, quiz nights and coffee mornings – raising thousands of pounds for local and national charities over the years.
The donation tins on the bar have a been a long-term success story, averaging £2,000 a year for the last 36 years, and the pub has provided a venue for skittles, darts, dominos and crib teams.
Landlord Brian Priest has been calling the shots at The Chequers for 36 years since he moved in with his late wife Chris back in 1987 – and has turned the pub into the heart of the community.
Brian, 68, became a publican at the age of 21 when he took over the reigns at The Shakespeare in Rugby – where Asda now stands – from his father George Priest.
The avid Leicester City fan famously painted his pub blue and white when the Foxes won the league in 2016, he rolled a barrel three miles with locals to celebrate 30 years in the job, and he had a life size statue of himself presented to him from BT Sports when they named him Pub Manager of the Month in 2017.
Brian has also featured on TV programmes such as Chrisley Knows Best, has hosted quirky events such like worm-charming championships, and brings the community together in the summer for a series of Gigs in the Garden.
He said: “It’s been a rocky road at times – it’s not an easy business to run, it’s a lifestyle choice.
“Working all hours every day without a day off is no mean feat, but the friendships and company is a huge reward. We have fantastic support from near and far, regulars who have been coming in for years. The staff we have are superb and if we come up with daft ideas they’re straight onboard.”
Entries to the Community Pub Hero Awards were judged by a panel of industry experts. The overall winners will be announced in March, with all finalists invited to a presentation at the House of Commons.
The competition first ran in 2018 and has been expanded this year to offer two categories for pubs: Community Support Hero or Charity Fundraising Hero, and a new Community Regular Hero where pubs nominated a supportive customer.
PubAid co-founder Des O’Flanagan said: “Our heartfelt congratulations go to The Chequers. Choosing the finalists from a very strong set of entries was a real challenge and those pubs who have reached the shortlist should be very proud of their achievement.
“Judges were hugely impressed by the stories from so many pubs, who have raised astonishing sums for charities, or provided incredible support for local people. The awards demonstrate, once again, that pubs are a force for good in their communities.”
