A LANDLORD has expressed his delight after his pub was given a national award for opening a community shop during the lockdown.

The Spread Eagle in Bromley Cross won the Pub Shop category at the Great British Pub Awards last week.

After the lockdown was introduced in March, the Hough Lane pub used its premises as a community shop where vulnerable people who were shielding could order food to be delivered.

The pub carried out its work with the help of volunteers and on a not-for-profit basis, with any produce left at the end of the week donated to care homes.

Among other kind-hearted efforts, the pub teamed up with the Bromley Cross and Egerton Support Group to arrange for 170 afternoon teas to be handed out to residents on VE Day.

After receiving the accolade at a virtual awards ceremony, George Campbell, who runs the pub with Daniel Dunne, said: "A lot of our customers were watching it the awards ceremony on the night.

"We were made up.

"It was nice to see the north west well represented in the awards too.

"There were some amazing stories of what other pubs have done. The whole country really pulled together.

"We are looking forward to when things change.

"We have promised the customers and staff that we will be having a party to celebrate the award when we can."