A FAMILY-run pub is hoping that winning the title of Hampshire Pub of the Year will act as a springboard for more success.

Peter and Fran Whitehead took over the Fur and Feathers, in Herriard Road, Herriard in 2010 after it had been closed down by previous owners Fullers.

In the six years since being run under the Whiteheads’ management, the pub has become a thriving traditional English pub with a unique identity.

Now, the pub has been awarded the Hampshire Life food and drink Pub of the Year award and Mr Whitehead hopes this recognition can lead to much more in the future.

He said: “We have never really been ones to shout about ourselves by saying ‘Look how great we are’.

“Winning this award does that for us and hopefully it will mean more trade and possibly more recruitment.”

He added: “There isn’t really much in Herriard, so the people who come to the pub specifically come here to eat or drink with us.

“By being recognised with this award it is just a massive pat on the back for us.”

In the six years of trading, it has become a real family affair with the couple’s son Oliver joining the kitchen staff and daughter Sophie working front of house.

The Fur and Feathers was selected after readers of the Hampshire Life magazine voted it as one of their favourite pubs, before mystery shoppers inspected each location.

“I remember the night very well this year when we were judged. We had been struggling for staff for many months. Having no public transport to our village now makes recruiting very difficult. We were full. I was behind the bar and my wife Fran was waitress for the evening. Fortunately we had a full complement of kitchen staff,” added Mr Whitehead.

“All the tables arrived as they should. Nobody was in a hurry with everyone here to enjoy a fantastic evening out. As the evening progressed some very happy people left and eventually we were left with a table of two who we didn’t know. We chatted and then presented the bill, nothing to be remarked upon, and then it came, the voucher to say they were judges of the Hampshire Life food and drink awards.”

The group were presented with the award at a gala dinner at the Elvetham Hotel in Hook on November 23.