A family-run pub and acommodation spot at the heart of the community has just been nominated for a national Licensee of the Year Award. 

The Howard Arms, Brampton, have been recognised by British Institute of Innkeeping ahead of their prestigious 2022 awards ceremony. 

Ruth Seggie and her husband Andrew took over the newly found convivial hotspot in December 2018. 

"We're up against a lot of competition and we're quite the newbies so to even get nominated is absolutely fantastic," Ruth said. 

News and Star: CONVIVIAL: Space catering for the communityCONVIVIAL: Space catering for the community

After a brief refurbishment in 2019, the pandemic hit, meaning the couple had only been in operation for a year and a couple of weeks before having to shut up shop.

"We've been working hard to make sure we're at the heart the community in Brampton ever since," she said. 

Ruth said she was "completely overwhelmed" for the nomination after having no idea they had even been put forward by Thwaites Brewery. 

The dog-friendly pub plays host to a range of groups within the community including Brampton football team,  the Brampton British Legion and regular slimming world sessions, and has recently become involved in the nationwide initiative Chatty Cafe -which provides an open space for people to come for a blether to help reduce loneliness. 

"We've got a fantastic team of people behind us, we're one big family, who always get compliments on how approachable and friendly the staff are along with the atmosphere inside," she said. 

"Both Andrew and I feel like when people come in here, they're coming into our home. 

"We live on the top floor, so when we come downstairs and hear people talking and laughing, we know we've had a role to play in that.

"It's nice to know something we're doing is enabling people to come out and enjoy themselves," she said. 

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The pub, located near Hadrian's Wall, offers overnight stays, a function room,  open fires, cask ales and food using locally sourced ingredients. 

The Howard Arms will find out if they have won the BII award on June, 21.