'We've worked our socks off' - Pub 'blown away' with best restaurant nomination

Stacey Morgan and her team took over the running of the Royal Oak in Alveley two years ago following the sudden death of former landlord Dave Skitt.

Dave had run the pub for a number of years and the team has said they hope their latest achievement will have made the late publican "very proud".

Stacey said: “He ran the pub for years and after he died we really wanted to make him proud. The staff have worked their socks off over the last two years and I know he would be very proud of us.”

She said she her 18-strong team found out last week that they had been shortlisted in the third annual English Restaurant Awards after being nominated by a mystery customer.

“We were blown away. The team really deserve this recognition as they have worked so hard," said Stacey. “We go above and beyond to get the best deals for our customers so wer thrilled to have even nominated let have been shortlisted.”

She said the final, to be held in the Manchester's Radisson Blu Hotel on June 3, will pit the business against several other Midland pubs as The British Queen in Oldbury, Harper's British Classics in Brierley Hill, and the The Lyttelton Arms in Stourbridge are amongst the competition vying to be named winner in the “Best British Restaurant of the Year” category.

“It will all come down to votes from customers so we are hoping a few of our customers will log on and lend us their support,” added Stacey.

If you wish to vote in the English Restaurant Awards, you can do so at: uk.surveymonkey.com/r/The3rdEnglishRestaurantAwards2024