Cricketers Inn in Curdridge 'booming' since being named best south east venue in National Pub and Bar Awards 2022

Stuart and Sally Downie, owners of the Cricketers Inn, in Curdridge, have been excited by the increased demand since their pub was named the best venue in the south east.

The business received the acclaim from the National Pub and Bar Awards at an awards ceremony on June 22.

Ms Downie told The News: ‘Business has been really good, as more people are coming and we’re attracting new customers.

‘Many of them mentioned the award, and we’ve had some really good weekends.’

The landlady said weekends have been particularly busy, with a party of 50 people in the bar last Saturday, with more customers in the beer garden.

Landlord Mr Downie said: ‘We definitely have seen an uptick in the last few weeks and we’ve been booming.’

Despite the roaring trade, the impact of the cost of living crisis is still harming the Cricketers Inn.

Mr Downie added that prices of cooking oil and cod have soared, and potential applicants for chef positions are demanding ‘crazy wages’ as a result of higher living costs.

SEE ALSO: National Pub and Bar Awards 2022: Cricketers Inn in Curdridge, Hampshire, crowned best venue in the south east

He said the price of the 47kg gas bottles he buys for the patio heaters have gone up from £65 to £79 each.

His electricity direct debit has also increased by £800 a year.

Speaking to The News last month, Ms Downie, 37, said the pub has dishes at different prices in order to accommodate as many people as possible, despite the large food supply cost increases.

This includes specials such as wood fire pizzas on Thursday, to increase revenue on traditionally slower days.

‘We are conscious of the fact that living costs are rising’, she said, ‘but at the moment, touch wood, we’re all good.’

The Cricketers Inn has seen £450,000 worth of investment since July 2020.

‘We try to absorb as much as we can, but some of that cost is being passed onto customers’, the 39-year-old said.

‘It is really tough, but we’ll be fine.

‘If you’re good at what you do, new and repeat customers will come through the door.’