Gainsborough: The Sweyn Forkbeard is named Pub of the Year

Amanda Fretwell became manager of the Wetherspoons pub in Silver Street just 12 months ago and has worked hard to make it a place people of the town enjoy going to.

She said: “I was hoping we were going to win because there has been a lot of work which has gone into the pub over the last year so I was hoping we would see the benefits of that.”

“All the hard work has paid off but we still have a bit further to go with it all.”

When asked why she thought people had voted for them, Amanda said she thinks it is because they do a lot for the community.

Amanda added: “I think people voted for us because we do quite a lot for the community and a lot of charity work, we have raised money for CLIC.”

“We also have real ales behind the bar and we won Camra’s Pub of the season last year so we have built a following through that.”

The Sweyn Forkbeard is a place for people of all ages and doesn’t cater for any one specific group of people.

Amanda said: “There is a real range of people who come in, the old and young.”

“Little old ladies come in on their own.”

“There’s something for everyone.”

“I would like to say thank you to everyone who voted for us.”

“It is a great achievement.”

“Everyone has worked really hard.”

“And I want to say thank you for everyone’s custom and I hope they continue to come in.”

“I am very proud and happy about it.”

“And it has been nice to see the other pubs coming in and congratulating us.”

“There is a real comradeship around the town.”