A pub in Failsworth which welcomed new "bonkers" landlords just eight months ago has gone on to win several accolades already, including Pub of the Year.
The Houghton Arms on Oldham Road has been on a winning streak ever since Simon and Sandra De-Wynter White took over the premises in March earlier this year.
The couple have huge plans to transform the inn into a "community pub", having refurbished the place and injected new life with games and entertainment on offer, from new TVs to a jukebox.
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It is also home to a darts team and customers enjoy its pool table, a pen and paper Monday night quiz, karaoke and "nonsense" bits of fun games.
The Houghton Arms even has a mascot, Henry Houghton, who enjoys holidays abroad with customers and looks over the pub's popular cask ales.
In September this year, the pub achieved a "guest experience outstanding progress" certificate from Maston's Pubs in the heats for "Pub of the Year" with Partnership North.
While the couple collected their award in a glitzy celebration lunch in Knutsford last month, they have now bagged another top award.
The couple were invited to a second dinner to see who was crowned the national finalists for Marston's Pub of the Year Awards 2024 this month.
A letter inviting them to the dinner read: "When received against our other divisional winners, and our full-year dat, you came out on top in the award category, so we're putting you up against three other divisions - including our managed estate - to earn the ultimate bragging rights of being the best of the best."
The competition saw The Houghton Arms fight off fierce competition in the national finale as they impressed a judging panel.
Then, on Tuesday, November 19, at the Rum Warehouse at the Titanic Hotel in Liverpool, the pub received the top "Pub of the Year" award for "achieving (the) most improved Reputation.com score based on guest feedback and sentiment over the past 12 months".
Reacting to the accolades, Simon said it was "absolutely fantastic" to be in the running for the heats and said it was a "total surprise" to have won the certificate.
Now with the Pub of the Year trophy, and the "bragging rights" of being the best in the country, the landlord said the pair were completely unaware that they had been considered finalists until they boarded the coach to the ceremony.
He added: "That came like a shot out of the blue.
"It only started to sink in when we called to get on the coach to the venue when the coordinator said, 'national finalists first'.
"From that point, it went from great to excellent.
"Our area manager and the operations manager were there to support us too.
"To win was the icing on the cake.
"Having said that, we couldn't have done it without the help and support of a brilliant team we have behind the bar.
"We are all winners."
The news comes as Simon and three friends completed a 15,000ft parachute jump to raise money for Greater Manchester Blood Bikes charity on October 2, a cause which is close to his heart.
This Christmas, the pub is also planning a mini Christmas market - and will undoubtedly have some other surprises in store for regulars as the pair say they are always dreaming up "bonkers" ideas.
Got a story? Email me Olivia.bridge@newsquest.co.uk
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