A COMMUNITY-focused Ludlow pub marked its first anniversary by being presented with an award from the Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA).
Last week marked a year since the managing couple, Neil Ainsworth and Natasha Wood, took over the Unicorn Inn in Corve Street, a 16th-century pub which had been left redundant until it was taken over by Black Country Ales.
On the day of the couple's first anniversary at the pub, the Shrewsbury and West Shropshire CAMRA group visited the pub to present the team with the 'best newcomer Ale pub award', an achievement Mr Ainsworth said he was "delighted" with.
"That really, for us, caps off a great year of relaunching, what is a historic Ludlow pub.
"The unicorn is a specialist real ale pub with craft ciders and a simple food offering.
"The pub is made up of three rooms, a very historic main front bar, a games room/lounge, and a snug bar with an all-day sun patio to the side, backing onto the River Corve."
"We serve pizzas on the patio and inside, handmade pizzas, and it's been very well received by local residents and valued customers."
To celebrate their first year, the pub hosted two local live bands, Menofame and The Invisibles, and the return of their popular line dancing experience, which previously drew crowds in from far and wide, with people keen to don their best cowboy boots.
"People love it, and Dave from Ludlow Line Dancing hosted that for us, and it's an absolute hoot.
"We planned to have it on for two hours and it went for five."
"They just kept going and going, and the bunch of people, they really are supportive to oru businesses, and we love them dearly because there's just so much fun."
Mr Ainsworth, who has over three decades of experience in the trade, said he would describe The Unicorn Inn as a community pub, adding that Ludlow residents had been very welcoming, and the couple had received many gifts, including cards and wine.
"It's very humbling really, that people have treated us as kindly as they have."
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