Pulham Market’s Crown Inn named South Norfolk Council’s Pub of the Year

The Crown Inn in Pulham Market has joined an exclusive group of top freehouses in the region after being named South Norfolk Council’s Community Pub of the Year.

The Harleston Road-based pub, which re-opened less than a year ago under new landlords Jon Bingham and Amy Beevers after an extended period of closure, was presented this prestigious accolade at an awards ceremony at the Council’s HQ in Long Stratton this morning, along with the individual area winners.

After the announcement was made by the judging panel, Mr Bingham said: “We are very proud to receive this award.

“It’s a fantastic feeling to know that our community has got behind us by nominating The Crown Inn.

It’s not until things like this happen that you realise just how much of a difference a local pub can make in the community.”

The pub later posted on its Twitter page: “So proud to be announced overall winner ‘South Norfolk Community Pub of the Year’” and “Well done to all the area winners, so many worthy pubs in #SouthNorfolk”.

In addition to its winner’s plaque, The Crown Inn will also receive £1,000, to be put towards staging a community event of its choice.

Councillor Martin Wilby, Deputy Leader of South Norfolk Council and one of the competition judges, said: “I would like to congratulate our worthy winner, The Crown Inn.

“This is the seventh year that we have run this competition and South Norfolk Council is still the only council in the country supporting its pubs like this.

“All of these pubs are winners. They all stood out for the great things that they are doing in their communities and it was very difficult to for us to decide our overall winner.”

Past winners of the contest include The Waterfront in Diss, The Pelican Inn of Tacolneston and The Wortwell Bell.