A pub in the Lake District has experienced a successful first year back in operation.
The Swan in Grasmere went through a multi-million pound refurbishment and has been reacquainting itself with its customers since last April.
Read more: The Swan Inn Grasmere reopening after refurbishment | The Mail (nwemail.co.uk)
Since reopening, more than 18,500 guests have walked through the doors of the former local of William Wordsworth which featured in his 1806 composition The Waggoner.
General managers Nellie Buxton Brown and Nigel Brown have been celebrating the milestone this week, looking back on how the past year has treated them.
Nellie said: “It’s been an incredible first year for us at The Swan, from our big reopening to a very busy New Year’s Eve and a good summer season, we’ve been delighted to be back.
“Getting back to being a more traditional pub with rooms there has been a good split between accommodation, food and drink trade and we’re determined to build on the foundations that we’ve laid."
A staggering 41,000 meals have been served up by Swan staff since April, along with more than 14,000 pints of Madri, 7,500 pints of Staropramen, and 5,500 pints of Guinness.
Away from day-to-day business, the pair have involved themselves in the local community through various charitable endeavours.
They supported eight-year-old Tony Hudgell as he conquered his first Lakeland fell for a fundraising challenge in support of the Bendrigg Trust, Crohn’s & Colitis UK, Fix the Fells, and his own eponymous Foundation.
Read more: Tony Hudgell climbed Orrest Head to raise money for charity | The Mail (nwemail.co.uk)
Donations to local causes including the Grasmere Red Squirrels group and the RAOB Lamb and Lion club totalled £4,000 as part of The Inn Collection Group’s Give Inn Back initiative.
They have also worked with Age UK South Lakeland to re-establish the village’s lunch club, as part of the Reconnecting Cumbria project, a vital outlet for isolated members of the community to combat loneliness and one that had been lost since the end of 2019.
Read more: The Inn Collection Group’s The Swan will host Age UK’s lunches | The Mail (nwemail.co.uk)
Nigel added: “Getting involved with the community has been a big focus for us and helped us get to know our locals and get our name out.
“We’ve started things like our Sunday night quiz and our first gin festival last August to make us a pub that people want to come to."
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