A COUPLE who took over a pub less than a year ago has received a national pub award for their welcoming atmosphere and unique menu. 

Pub landlords James Harris and Nicole Yeoh have won the New Licensee of the Year award at the pub industry’s nationally recognised Night of Excellence Awards.

The couple won after they transformed The Green Man in Winchester, which they took on in April last year. 

Despite taking on the pub less than a year ago, the couple has turned the Green Man into a successful business, where they operate their Malaysian food concept Lucky Lychee.

Alongside its popular food, the pub also serves cask ales, world beers, cocktails, wines and alcohol-free options. 

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Judges awarded James and Nicole with the New Licensee of the Year award for creating a unique food concept. They also commended the couple for creating a pub with welcoming staff, atmospheric styling and a commitment to quality.

James and Nicole said: “We are absolutely delighted to have won this award. We also feel the best is still very much to come for us at The Green Man. We are excited for the future and look forward to welcoming even more customers to the pub this year.”

Rob Ayling, business development manager for Greene King pub partners, said: “A big well done to James and Nicole for winning this award. They deserve all the recognition and plaudits they get. Taking on their first pub and turning it into the incredible business it is today is a massive achievement. I wish them all the very best success for the future.”

The Night of Excellence Awards celebrates the success of great licensees and the businesses they run in partnership with Greene King pub partners. 

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They comprise of 15 awards ranging from Community Pub of the Year to Food Pub of the Year, which are all sponsored by key suppliers to the pub sector and well-known brands such as Heineken, Coca-Cola, Diageo and Molson Coors.

Entrants go through a strict judging process including mystery visits in order to be crowned award winners. 

This year, the awards were held at a grand ceremony and dinner hosted at the Crowne Plaza hotel in Stratford-Upon-Avon. The event was attended by numerous licensees from across the country who work with Greene King pub partners as well as representatives from the hospitality and pub sector including trade bodies, business leaders and more.