Coventry's oldest boozer in the running for Great British Pub Award

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Coventry's oldest boozer in the running for Great British Pub Award

Postby dutchman » Mon Jul 18, 2022 6:02 pm

The Old Windmill in Spon Street could be named Pub of the Year in October

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The fear of losing her pub during the global pandemic served to 'reignite' a landlady's love for her 600-year-old boozer which has now been shortlisted for a national award. The Old Windmill has selected from 4,000 establishments as one of six finalists for a Great British Pub Awards prize.

They will have to beat off competition from five contenders in Worcestershire, Hampshire, Yorkshire, Kent and Lancashire to be crowned Stonegate Group Pub Partners Pub of the Year later this year.

"This is our first shortlisting for a national award and we're over the moon," said publican Michelle Gilmour. "We've always entered the local ones, run by CAMRA, but this really is the biggest one for us, it doesn't get any bigger."

Michelle's journey with the city's oldest pub began when she walked through the doors as an 18-year-old to work as a barmaid. She worked her way up before becoming landlady 12 years ago. It was during the global pandemic when pubs were forced to close before reopening under restrictions that Michelle concedes that efforts were redoubled to breathe new life into the establishment that was built in 1451.

"I had been here a long time before Covid hit and perhaps we'd lost our spark," she said. "Realising that it could be taken away from me reignited that spark. It was a chance for us to get better, for me to get better and our amazing staff. We refurbished the place, improved the food, we did everything we could and we're busier than ever now.

"It's been amazing, there's not a lot of opportunities for recognition in our industry. We know we're up against pubs from down south with streams running through them, we're in the middle of Coventry with a car park!"

But what is it about the Old Windmill that is attracting people in through the doors, even during a cost-of-living crisis, and is attracting the interest of national awards bodies.

"We're a 600-year-old pub with original features, a log fire, it's beautifully decorated and we have all the best ales, beers and wines. We have four beer festivals a year, and we also now have use of the architects' car park when they're not open to expand those. The most recent festival featured 35 different ales."

She added: "The Spon Street Market has been massive for us too. Spon Street is much more vibrant than it used to be and there's so many award-winning businesses on it."

The shortlist of six will be whittled down to three ahead of the Great British Pub Awards night to be held in Manchester on Tuesday. October 4.

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Re: Coventry's oldest boozer in the running for Great British Pub Award

Postby dutchman » Sun Oct 09, 2022 1:16 am

Landlady delighted after historic Coventry pub named best in the country

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The 'overwhelmed' landlady of Coventry's oldest pub revealed why her establishment was named the best in the country. More than 4,500 establishments were whittled down to a shortlist of six for the Stonegate Group Pub Partners' Pub of the Year with the winner being named at this week's Great British Pub Awards held in Manchester.

Publican Michelle Gilmour's jaw dropped as the The Old Windmill in Spon End was revealed as winners of the award.

"I was completely overwhelmed," Michelle said. "I wasn't expecting, it, we were all over the moon."

Held at the Escape to Freight Island venue, the awards are deemed to be the 'Oscars' of the British pub industry, with thousands of people attending - including Michelle and members of her team.

"There really isn't anything bigger that we could win as a pub from this brewery," she said. "We just all looked at each other in disbelief.

"When you've been in the industry as long as I have, well, you just don't think these kind of things are going to happen. Especially when you consider our limitations. We're a wet-led city centre pub, with no outdoor space, and a limited kitchen. But we feel we do simplicity well.

"I spoke to one of judges and he said he loved the pub given our location and restrictions, and how much we made of what we did have."

The Old Windmill dates back to the 15th century and has long since been a favourite drinking spot for the people of the city. Since winning the award, Michelle has further felt the warmth and support of her customers.

"On the first day we posted on our Facebook page that we'd won and it got 700 likes which is just crazy," said Michelle, who was joined by fellow members of her team Peter Dunkley, Marcus Patterson and Casey Hawkins in Manchester. "Then it's just gone crazy, people are walking in and saying well done.

"We have an amazing pub, with amazing history and character but most importantly, amazing staff, they're a massive part of this. This award is for every member of our staff too."

The official line as to why the Coventry pub was given the award was given on the Great British Pub Award 2022 website. "Dating back to the 15th century, the Old Windmill in Coventry’s city centre is a listed building packed with unspoilt character and charm just where jaded shoppers need it most. Full of nooks and crannies and tempting corners to drink and eat in, it just oozes history.

"And it’s busier than ever since lessee Michelle Gilmour cajoled the architect’s office next door to loan them is car park for a weekend beer garden, doubling capacity, and added high quality ploughman’s lunches and cold platters to the pub’s famous pork pies. The Windmill also hosts a busy events programme including live music and beer festivals."

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Re: Coventry's oldest boozer in the running for Great British Pub Award

Postby dutchman » Sun Oct 09, 2022 1:19 am

The reason it's called The "Old" Windmill is to distinguish it from another "Windmill" Inn which once stood at the other end of Spon Street where the school now is.
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