Wine offering bowls over judges
Managers from a pub in Rossett met an international cricket hero on the way to winning a national award for the quality of the wine they serve.
Manager of The Alyn Riverside Country Pub Gareth Higgins and Bar Manager Ashley Marsden met England Ashes ace Matthew Hoggard at the Marston’s Pub Company Awards at Alton Towers.
The Alyn Riverside Country Pub was named Wine Retailer of the Year at the ceremony from more than 1,700 Marston’s pubs across England and Wales. Judges were impressed by The Alyn’s “carefully considered wine offering which includes food and wine matching advice and their creativeness in bringing wine alive by thinking outside the box.”
Gareth Higgins said:
“It was great meeting Matthew Hoggard. Apparently he enjoys chips and Twix (not together) and Marston’s Resolution Beer.”
Alex and Andrew Smeaton are owners of The Alyn Riverside Country Pub. They added:
“We were absolutely delighted to win the Award. We had an initial visit from a secret shopper, who tested staff on their wine knowledge. We were short-listed to the Final eight and then announced as the winners at a ceremony at Alton Towers. It is really satisfying to see all our hard work recognized by Marston’s, which will motivate us to keep delivering the highest standards in our pub. We have lots of offers on over Christmas and look forward to a busy Christmas period.”
Marston’s Pub Company established the Pub of the Year Awards in 2002 to celebrate its best licensees.
The Managing Director of Marston’s Pub Company, Stephen Oliver, said:
“We run this competition because we want to encourage licensees to strive for higher standards. The Alyn Riverside Country Pub offers excellence in every aspect and also offers a distinctive and unique experience to their customers.”
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CAPTIONS:
(left to right) Stephen Oliver, Marston’s Pub Company Managing Director, and England Cricketer Matthew Hoggard (far right) present the Marston’s Wine Retailer of the Year Finalist Award at a ceremony at Alton Towers to Gareth Higgins and Ashley Marsden of The Alyn Riverside Country Pub, Rossett
(left to right) James Heathcote, head waiter, Ashley Marsden, bar manager, Alex Smeaton, owner of The Alyn Riverside Country Pub and Gareth Higgins, general manager, celebrating winning the Wine Retailer of the Year for Marsden breweries 2007
Editors notes:
The Alyn Riverside Country Pub is nestled on the banks of the River Alyn in the village of Rossett, between Wrexham and Chester.
The Alyn Riverside Country Pub, Station Road, Rossett, Wrexham LL12 0HE is open all day every day over Christmas, including Christmas Day from 11.30am until 11pm and food is served from noon until 9.45pm seven days a week.
Owners of The Holt Lodge Hotel, Wrexham Road, Holt, Wrexham LL139SW, North Wales also own The Alyn in Rossett and The Druid in Pontblyddyn.
For more details visit: www.thealyn.co.uk, Tel: 01244 570368
Email: enquiries@thealyn.co.uk
Contacts:
Jane Harrad-Roberts Consultant Director, Marketing Projects
Email: jane@marketingprojects.co.uk Mobile: +44 7785 395705
Tel: +44 1244 330000 Press hotline: +44 1244 330101
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