South Leicestershire MP Alberto Costa welcomed the landlord of The Chequers Pub in Swinford to Parliament following their nomination as just one of 15 pubs to reach the finals of a national competition.
Alberto welcomed The Chequers’ landlord Brian Priest to Parliament last week, after the Swinford pub beat around 200 other entrants to make it to the national finals of the Community Pub Hero Awards, organised by PubAid and the All-Party Parliamentary Beer Group, and sponsored by Matthew Clark.
Nationwide, over 200 pubs entered the Community Pub Hero Awards, including 70 nominated by their local MP.
The Chequers Inn has supported the local community and charities in a number of ways, hosting parties, a community BBQ, raffles, games nights, quiz nights and coffee mornings among other activities. They’ve hosted numerous successful fundraising events including a charity dog show and an annual ‘Gig in the Garden’. The donation tins on the bar have a been a long-term success story, averaging £2,000 a year for the last 36 years.
The Chequers was nominated in the Charity Fundraising Pub Hero category however this was won by The Beeswing pub in Northallerton, Yorkshire.
Alberto said, “It was a real pleasure to welcome Brian from The Chequers in Swinford to Parliament last week for the national finals of the Community Pub Hero Awards. The Chequers is a firm favourite for many constituents and visitors to the area, and its no surprise really with the fantastic array of local ales they have on offer, the picturesque setting and of course the warm welcome you receive from Brian and his team. The Chequers have been doing some incredible charity work over the years, and I am delighted that their hard work has been recognised and that they are getting the plaudits they so richly deserve”.
Alberto is pictured above with (Left to Right) John Steele - Trade Marketing Director at Matthew Clark, Brian Priest - Licensee of The Chequers, Emma Jones of The Chequers and Des O’Flanagan - PubAid co-founder.
