A publican has been handed a long-service award after 20 years behind the bar.
Craig Creegan, of The Robin Hood on Penrith’s King Street, was given the award by Rick Rose-Coulthard, area manager of pub owner Star Pubs.
The Robin Hood was Mr Creegan’s first pub.
Originally from Manchester, he moved to Penrith to work at Center Parcs as a lifeguard and scuba driving instructor, and said he fell in love with the town.
At the time the lease for The Robin Hood became available, he was managing The Dockray formerly known as The Gloucester Arms.
“I liked the small size of The Robin Hood and its real community feel and so when the lease came up I leapt at the opportunity to take it on.
“I haven’t looked back.
“I enjoyed running The Robin Hood so much that four years later I decided to take on a second site, The Woolpack.
“Over the 20 years I have been at The Robin Hood, I have seen 15 pubs close in Penrith.
“The Robin Hood, however, has stood the test of time because I keep prices competitive, and it has a fantastic friendly atmosphere that can’t be matched.
“Sad though it has been to see pubs fail, Penrith now has a sustainable number of pubs, each with their own niche.
“Ours is undoubtedly sports,” Mr Creegan said.
When he took on The Robin Hood trade was ‘so quiet that it didn’t justify taking on anyone else to work behind the bar,’ he said, but today the pub employs five people.
He was one of the founders of the Penrith Rugby 300 club five years ago, and with other businesses, the pub donates money to support grassroots rugby in Penrith.
It also supports the air ambulance and other local good causes.
During his time, he said he has helped raise tens of thousands of pounds for charity.
Mr Rose-Coulthard said: “The Robin Hood might be small but it packs a punch when it comes to live sports and a warm welcome.
“The atmosphere in the pub is fantastic and is one of the reasons why so many locals and tourists come back time and again.
“I wish Craig many happy years at The Robin Hood as I am sure do his regulars.
“He’s doing a fantastic job and is a real community star.”
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