A popular bar in Stourport has been named one of the best in the West Midlands.
Staff at Bigmouths Kitchen were "shocked and delighted" to find out it had been named the county winner for Worcestershire in the National Pub and Bar Awards 2024.
The bar, which only opened in March last year, will now be one of 94 county winners that will be competing for the regional title at an awards ceremony in London this summer.
Owner of BMK Stourport, Todd Turner, from Kidderminster, said: "We found out at the start of the week and we're all so happy. We were a bit shocked but delighted that we've been recognised for such a prestigious award.
"We were encouraged to apply and then the judges have a look at our customer service, reviews and marketing before coming to a decision. It is a really rigorous process so to be the winner for Worcestershire means all of our hard work is paying off."
The business started from a trailer that Mr Turner "used until it fell apart" but has since gone on to achieve incredible success.
Mr Turner said he loves being part of the Stourport community and gave away free burgers in celebration of BMK Stourport's first anniversary last month.
To be announced as the county winner, BMK Stourport had to demonstrate its excellence across a number of areas affecting the customer journey including design, service, marketing and investment.
The 29-year-old added: "We love our customers and we enjoy giving back to the community. At our birthday celebrations last month we gave away around 250 free burgers to our customers.
"The whole team will be at the awards event in June and we're really excited and hopeful about the event."
The National Pub and Bar Awards 2024 is sponsored by Tyrrells, ICRTouch, Kerrymaid, Panasonic, Santa Maria and Sky Business with the regional winners being announced on June 26.
The awards night will also crown the Pub Group of the Year, Bar Group of the Year, The Tyrrells Tyrrellbly Good Taste Award and the overall National Pub and Bar of the Year.
Tristan O'Hana, the editor of Pub and Bar magazine which runs the event, said: "Pubs and bars are facing some of the biggest challenges in recent history, so if the National Pub & Bar Awards can help by lifting sales across these venues, then we’re delighted to play our part."
The full list of regional finalists for the West Midlands:
- Herefordshire, The Oak Inn Staplow
- Shropshire, The Tally Ho Inn
- Staffordshire, Fitzherbert Arms
- Warwickshire, The House at Leamington Spa
- West Midlands, The Tamworth Arms
- Worcestershire, BMK Stourport
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