We are delighted to announce that our Fitzherbert Arms in the village of Swynnerton has won the top Gold Award and become Pub of the Year 2025 at the Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent Tourism Awards.

General Manager Rebecca, Head Chef Connor, Asst Managers Tim and Zee and Rooms Manager Kelly were all at the Hilton Hotel reception when their win was announced. Sponsored by the University of Staffordshire, the awards celebrate local businesses across the county. The Fitzherbert Arms is an award-winning pub in its own right, winning the ‘Best Taste Award’ at the Pub and Bar Magazine Awards last year. The Fitz’ were up against very strong opposition but came out smiling. The entry and judging process was vigorous to say the least and to come out on top is truly amazing! Rebecca added “we are truly over the moon, there were some great pubs in the line up, so to win Gold is a superb reflection on all the team’s efforts to make the Fitz’ such a special pub.

Only a year ago the Fitzherbert Arms opened its 10 Guest Bedrooms in the old Fitzherbert Farmhouse. A grade 2 listed building, it is a wonderful place to stay when enjoying the great attractions of Staffordshire. Owners Mary McLaughlin and Tim Bird, who also have the Mainwaring Arms in Whitmore, as well as five award-winning pubs in Cheshire added, “we are so delighted for Rebecca and the team! The Fitz is a very special pub but what makes it truly special are the team and of course our customers and guests. They along with our local suppliers can all be proud of this award. We share it with everybody.

 

 

Our pub company Cheshire Cat Pubs and Inns, owned by Tim and Mary, is celebrating again after two of their pubs achieved great accolades at the Pub and Bar Magazine Awards in London on Wednesday 26th June 2024. The Cholmondeley Arms and the Fitzherbert Arms made the journey to the awards having been chosen as County winners of Cheshire and Staffordshire respectively.

Cholmondeley Arms Manager Helen and Deputy manager Leigh arrived in London to see if the Cholmondeley Arms Team could go one further and win the Northwest region. Great news! The Chum won it! We now have the honour of ‘Best in the Northwest’ back within our Company Cheshire Cat. We held the honour previously with our sister pub the Church Inn back in 2021. Owners Tim and Mary were at the awards to help the teams celebrate!

The Fitzherbert Arms meanwhile had already won ‘Best Pub in Staffordshire’ for the third year running. The Fitz Manager Rebecca and Head Chef Connor headed to London to see if the Fitzherbert Arms Team could go one further and win the West Midlands region. To their complete surprise they went one better and won the honour of the National ‘Best Taste’ Award sponsored by Tyrells Crisps, which recognised most notably the great food performance under the stewardship of Head Chef Connor and his kitchen team and of course the effort of the entire team who make the Fitz the great pub it is today.

Please check out the photo of the entire team at the awards and you’ll notice the enormous bag of Tyrells crisps which has a photo of the Fitzherbert Arms across the front! It was fun carrying that around London after the awards! All in all, it was a great night in London, and we are all very proud of Rebecca, Connor and the entire Fitz team and Helen and Leigh and the entire Cholmondeley Arms team.

A great night at the Pub and Bar Magazine Awards in London! The Fitzherbert Arms had already won ‘Best Pub in Staffordshire’ in the Awards a month or so ago for the third year running. The Fitz Manager Rebecca and Head Chef Connor headed to London to see if the Fitzherbert Arms Team could go one further and win the West Midlands region. To their complete surprise they went one better and won the honour of the National ‘Good Taste’ Award sponsored by Tyrells Crisps, which recognised most notably the great food performance under the stewardship of Head Chef Connor and his kitchen team and of course the effort of the entire team who make the Fitz the great pub it is today.

Owners Tim and Mary were at the awards along with Helen and Leigh from our Cholmondeley Arms who won ‘Best in the Northwest’ on the night too, making it a double for Cheshire Cat Pubs and Bars! Please check out the photos and you’ll notice the enormous bag of Tyrells crisps which has a photo of the Fitzherbert Arms across the front! It was fun carrying that around London after the awards! All in all, it was a great night in London, and we are all very proud of Rebecca, Connor and the entire Fitz team.