Young tenants scoop Publican award

l Adam Sprague and Carly Price, outside the Western Inn,
St Austell, Cornwall

March 30, 2007: Adam Sprague and Carly Price are celebrating after being crowned Britain’s best newcomers in the Publican awards

The award — presented at London's Grosvenor House Hotel — recognises their success in bringing a new lease of life to the Western Inn, St Austell, Cornwall, since taking over the tenancy in 2004 — and sustaining their excellent track record over a period of more than two years.

It is the second major honour for them after they were last year named South West regional newcomers of the year in the Morning Advertiser awards.

Adam said both he and Carly were stunned to hear themselves announced as national winners at such a major event. “The whole thing was amazing and at first is just didn’t click that it was us. It’s starting to sink in now and, of course, we’re delighted and very proud, not just for ourselves but for the whole team who work so hard to make the pub what it is.

"We all put in a lot of effort to ensure the Western is at the heart of the community and the atmosphere is really like a village pub, even though it is in the centre of town.”

Adam, 27, and Carly, 22, brought plenty of new ideas with them when they took over the pub — as well as an impressive family heritage stretching back three generations of working with St Austell Brewery. They have worked closely with the community, local charities and sports clubs, made changes where necessary to improve the pub, and were rewarded by the Western Inn becoming the only pub in St Austell to feature in the Good Beer Guide 2006.

Along the way they have also picked up a Beautiful Beer Award and won the award for the best kept cellar in the St Austell Brewery Estate Awards.

Adam Luck, St Austell Brewery estate director, said of Adam and Carly: “We are all incredibly proud of them and of their success in running such a wonderful community pub at the Western Inn.

“Adam and Carly’s achievements are the result of hard work, imagination and excellent relationships with their staff and customers — for all those reasons they fully deserve the recognition they have received with this award.”